Police using Facebook and Twitter to spread their news

The six Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) in the Bradford South division now each have their own official page on social networking site Facebook and their own feed on Twitter which provides regular updates.

Officers from Bradford’s Safer Schools Partnership are also posting videos about their work on the website You Tube.

Patrick Brooke, West Yorkshire Police web communications manager, said: “As a force, we want to use every opportunity to help improve our contact with local communities, particularly something which is easy and inexpensive to use, and which a growing number of people prefer as an important way of keeping in touch.

“Social media also has the advantage of helping us reach a different type of audience and interact with new sections of the community, helping boost confidence in local neighbourhood and policing issues.”

Bradford South chief inspector Paul Hepworth said using the sites will give residents “a window as to what is happening in their local community” as well as offering an insight into what their NPT is doing about it.

Chief Inspector Hepworth said: “The use of Twitter will also allow local residents to put questions directly to the Neighbourhood Policing Team which covers their patch.

“Using personal Blackberry mobile phones, the officers will then be able to send a short response. Whether you are at home, at work or at the shops, this is ‘real time’ information which can be accessed from anywhere.

“Recently a Police Community Support Officer from Wyke planned a ‘day in the life’ account of his work for local residents. This really shows the communication levels it opens up and all to the advantage of the community.”

Residents can use the Facebook pages to find out information including details of their local Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meeting.

Chief Inspector Hepworth said: “Some of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams in Bradford South are already quite established on Facebook, but we have now made every team part of delivering these updates.”