West Mercia Police Joins Social Networking Revolution

Chief Superintendent Mark Turner and Web Development Officer Neil Tipton with the force Facebook pageWest Mercia Police is inviting local people to become its ‘friend' by joining the force's official Facebook page or following it on Twitter.

Through the social networking sites, people in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire can get regular updates on what is happening across West Mercia. The Facebook page also includes details of the latest force campaigns, information on how to report a crime or contact local officers, plus photographs and other useful links to highlight a wide range of force activities.

Visitors can also interact with West Mercia Police by posting messages on the wall of its Facebook page, giving their opinions on local issues or asking for information and advice.

West Mercia Police's web development officer Neil Tipton says:  "We are already beginning to see people posting their comments on the Facebook page and more than 400 have signed up ahead of the official launch.   We've been able to help people with enquiries about joining the force as a police officer or police cadet, tackling speeding cars in residential areas and how to report offensive websites. 

"You can find us easily on Facebook and Twitter by following the links from our homepage at www.westmercia.police.uk .  We would love to hear from more people about how they would like to see the pages develop, so why not sign up and post us a message and begin the conversation."

Chief Supt Mark Turner, head of Communications, said: "Hundreds of thousands of people in the force area use the likes of Facebook and Twitter. All generations are now accessing social networking sites, although it is a particularly useful way of reaching younger people who are less likely to use more traditional media. 

"We are inviting everyone to become a ‘friend' on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and in turn encourage others to join too: the more members we can get, the more people we can reach.

We're always exploring ways to have contact with our communities, to further understand their needs, and to receive feedback on our service. Social networking sites are a low cost form of communication that we can use to give local people information about major incidents, key initiatives and events. 

"We have already used them as part of murder investigations, missing persons appeals and to promote important safety messages. It also gives people another forum on which to ask questions and give suggestions.

"Even in times of increasingly restricted resources, we will continue to investigate any new and cost effective methods that can help us improve the way we serve, protect and make the difference for people across West Mercia.

"So, if you are a Facebook or Twitter user in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin or Worcestershire, please find us and sign up to become a 'friend' of West Mercia Police!"

Issued: Friday 2 July 2010