SMS 71999 Service is a SMS text messaging platform by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for all members of public who require emergency assistance and when it is not safe to call ‘999’ or when they are unable to speak. Examples include hostage situation when informant is hiding or when the informant are unable to speak for fear of revealing their position.

If you require emergency assistance and when it is not safe to call ‘999’, you should:

1.  Compose a brief SMS message containing information on the nature of emergency (what has happened, or is happening) and the location where it is happening at.

2.  Send the message to 71999.

3.  When your message is successfully received by the police operator, an acknowledgment message will be sent back to you.

4.  Where necessary, the Police operator may need to seek further information or clarifications from you via SMS. The Police operator may also ask if it is safe to call you on your phone as verbal communication could be faster for the Police operator to gather critical information on the situation.

5.  After obtaining the necessary information, depending on the type of emergency reported, police, ambulance or fire rescue personnel may be despatched.

The Police or SCDF operator may activate the Emergency Video System and request you to assist to video the scene around you using your mobile phone. Follow the instructions of the Police or SCDF call-taker. Note that when the Emergency Video System is activated, the Police or SCDF will be receiving your location from your mobile phone while the video streaming session is in progress.

This information is sourced from SPF-STAGING