Police in Macclesfield have brought crime fighting into the social networking age by joining the website Twitter.
Officers hope that publishing short updates on the site, known as ‘tweets’, will give the public a better insight into police work.
Twitter will also be used to keep the public up to date with crime information and the incidents they attend.
It will also be used to advertise meetings, appeal for information and tell ‘good news’ stories.
Macclesfield police sent its first tweet in December and has built up an army of 516 followers.
Insp Jez Taylor said the aim is reach 1,000 followers by the end of February.
He said: “Since launching our Twitter account word has spread, but we need to build a substantial band of followers to make it worthwhile.
“Like with anything to do with technology some PCs and PCSOs have taken to it immediately, while others are a bit frightened of it. It’s quite an art form keeping your tweets down to 140 characters, avoiding using too much ‘police speak’ and lingo, and keeping them interesting without divulging sensitive information, but we’re getting there.
“At the moment we have at least one officer in each of our response units tweeting 24 hours a day.”
Insp Taylor admits there has been some criticism by people regarding his officers’ use of Twitter.
He added: “Most of the response we have had has been positive.
“There is a misconception that using Twitter interferes with day to day duties but that’s simply wrong.
“It’s an exercise that takes 10 seconds and can share important information with a great deal of people immediately.
“This is just another tool for communication with the public.”
To follow the force’s Twitter page visit www.twitter.com/MacclesfieldNPU .
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Have the Police got nothing better to waste their time and money on. I would rasther then attend promptly to calls, and open the station for access at all times. But then that is what the public have repeatedly requested, andn been ignored.
This is rather good and getting better. Good to see the Police using simple and new technology to communicate with the public and keep them informed.
And they respond to their followers as well and update what they are doing quickly and in real time. Well done to them for this initiative.
I would prefer to see them waste their time on better things. When my house got broken into they could not even send an officer.
The spokesman says it only takes 10 seconds - Nonsense it takes a lot more time. Why you are busy with yoyur little message you could be missing important things going on around you. Please Inspector do not treat us as idiots, especially the older ones in the community.
Old Maxonian... be careful it's a jungle out there. More than 1 channel on TV and all in colour; digital radio signals, telephones without wires... what next? I'm suprised you are even embracing the technology that is the internet by posting on this site. Shouldn't you be communicating more effectively by buying the paper and writing a letter with your comments to the editor?
Well Done to MacclesfieldNPU for tweeting - it is great to see what kind of things the police get involved with, how much time gets wasted by members of the public, and I think this is a great way of building relationships in today's highly connected world.
What police ? where ,
I find it quite informative and being "live" it is up to date and gives insight into police work. Though this is canot make up to the cuts the police are facing and the fact that this will do little to tackle real crime... Good PR, but who's paying for this?