Residents can now get up to date information about major incidents sent direct to their mobile phones.
Ealing Council has teamed up with Ealing Primary Care Trust, the police and fire services to launch Community Safe,which allows people to receive text messages and emails about incidents as they happen.
People can also choose to receive emails with police appeals, crime prevention information, fire safety tips and health advice.
Council leader Jason Stacey said: "This is a really good initiative because it means residents can receive the most up to date information about emergency incidents.
"I'm sure it will be of interest to a lot of people,but this will also have a really practical use because if there's ever a major incident it will help us get information out to residents.
"It will also help make Ealing safer by giving residents the advice they need to protect themselves and their property.''
Text messages cost 12p each, but all other messages are free of charge.
* For more details visit www.communitysafe.gov.uk
