An innovative new texting scheme has been unveiled at the University of Bradford to help reassure students worried about crime and safety.

Students and staff are being given a special 'securitext' number with direct links to the University's security control room so that they can report incidents on campus.

The initiative is a partnership between the University of Bradford, the Students' Union and West Yorkshire Police, and follows feedback from the University's student satisfaction survey, which asked how the University could improve its services to students.

Until now students could telephone security on campus but were unable to text. The scheme allows students and staff to discreetly contact security without calling attention to themselves.

As well as texting, the scheme encourages students and staff to save the telephone number in their mobile phones, so they always have it to hand and can quickly and easily telephone security in emergencies.

Although statistics from the 2001 Crime and Disorder Audit show that Bradford is safe in relation to other cities - Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Hull suffer more robberies and vehicle crimes - the securitext gives reassurance to students worried about crime and safety.

Dean of Students Adrian Pearce said: "This effectively provides an instant boost to the number of security phones we have within the University.

"The more people we get on board, the more 'security phones' we have working, and the more vigilant we can be.

"By pulling together and working as a team, students and staff can have a safer and more secure environment in which to work and play."

Once a text is received by the University security control room, staff will be on hand to give immediate help to students or to investigate the report.

Any information received will be treated in strict confidence.

Students' Union Women's Officer Kate Greenfield said: "This is a brilliant idea which puts students' minds at ease. Being able to text in this way means that students can relax knowing that assistance is readily available literally at the touch of a button."

Chief Inspector Dave Lunn, of Bradford South Police, said: "We are continually looking at new ways of making people feel safe.

"This is an exciting and innovative new scheme which will make security officers readily available for students and staff in times of need. Hopefully they will now feel reassured so they can go about the university at ease."

Students and staff are also advised to add a template which includes their name and any other details which they think might help security if they use securitext.