Police launch campaign to raise awareness of policing services available

Cumbria Police are launching a campaign to raise awareness of the different policing services available and to ensure people get the right response and information for the right situation.

There are many different ways members of the public can get in contact with the police, but certain channels are more suitable depending on the nature and urgency of the problem.

The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of how people can get the response or information they need more effectively. As a result, it is hoped that unnecessary demand on the service will be reduced.

Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson said “We always encourage people to dial 999 straight away in an emergency, but we want to make sure they realise that there are other ways to contact police when an immediate response is not required.

“There is a lot of information on our website, and this can be a much more convenient way of getting information and finding out what is going on in the county or a certain area in particular.

“We also aim to highlight where the police aren’t the correct agency to contact for a solution. For instance when someone finds a stray dog, has a parking problem or wants to report lost property – these aren’t matters for the police and we want to educate the public on where they should go instead, and how they should contact the correct organisation.

“And we are going to ask people to really think before they pick up the phone. We get many people call us to ask for the number of a taxi firm or to ask directions, and we even recently had a caller ask what temperature they should put the oven on to cook a chicken. This may seem amusing, but it could have prevented us from speaking to someone who required an urgent response.

“Without all the misdirected calls, officers will have even more time to focus on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and responding to those who really need our help.”

Cumbria Police also have an updated website (still found at www.cumbria.police.uk) which will continue to feature the latest news and information about the policing service and county. It will also give easy-to-follow advice on who to contact and how to contact them for a range of specific queries, and offer the new facility of reporting a non-emergency crime online.

The average visits to the website is just over 40,000 a month.

As part of the campaign, information leaflets and cards will be distributed to local police desks, and our social media feeds will focus on directing people towards the most appropriate service for their needs, with the #PolicingCumbria.

Chief Superintendent Johnson added “It’s really important for both the public and the service that people direct their problems to the right place – it’s about helping us to help you.”

Policing services:

Social media and the Community Messaging Service – is continuously updated with the latest news, appeals, safety information and crime prevention advice.

Police website – This also gives detailed information about crime prevention and safety advice, as well the latest news, information about the police, and the new additions as mentioned above.

Police stations and desks – These give people the chance to speak to someone face to face, with desks being held regularly in local communities where there isn’t a station. This would be the right place to go to make a statement, to speak to a local officer or for some crime prevention advice. 

101 – This should be used when a crime has been committed but an immediate response is not required. For example if your house has been burgled, your car has been stolen or your property has been damaged. These calls are now answered by police officers.

999 – This is to be used in an emergency situation and when an immediate response is required. This means that life is in danger, violence is being used or threatened, or a crime is in progress.Police launch campaign to raise awareness of policing services available

Over 20,000 people following Cumbria Constabulary on Twitter

In 2009, Cumbria Constabulary began using the social media site Twitter to update people with news, appeals and general information. This has gone from strength to strength, with over 20,000 followers.  

Social media is now one of the main ways in which people can receive updates about news and local incidents which affect them. Twitter has been an effective tool for Cumbria Constabulary and has enabled people to receive information from appeals to crime prevention tips directly to their phone, computer or other device.

The Constabulary account has proved to be so popular that extra Twitter accounts were established for local policing teams and specialist units. There are now over 30,000 people following 13 accounts across the County to find out more about policing in their local communities.

Twitter is not the only social media site utilised by Cumbria Constabulary, the force also has a page on Facebook which now has more than 15,000 followers.

Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson said: “Social media plays an important part in our relationship with the public. Our accounts have enabled us to break down barriers to give members of our community direct access to the Constabulary.

“Having 20,000 followers selecting to follow Cumbria Constabulary shows a key demand for people wanting to use Twitter to receive information and updates from the police.

“A vast amount of information is now within the reach of members of our community that have access to social media and we are dedicated to keeping them informed.

“We encourage people to follow us, and have now established Twitter alert’s to immediately deliver important information in the event of a major incident, such as flooding. This will help us in providing a medium that provided timely updates straight away and enable people to take any necessary action and inform friends and family members who could be affected.

“We recognise that not everyone has social media accounts and we will always inform the public in a wide variety of methods. However, social media is proving to be an essential tool for Cumbria Constabulary.”

Follow us

Follow www.twitter.com/cumbriapolice on Twitter. www.facebook.com/cumbriapolice on Facebook.

A list of a the Constabulary’s local policing teams accounts and other social media profiles can be found here

Be prepared - receive Cumbria Police Twitter alerts

In recent weeks, Cumbria has experienced some adverse weather conditions, which called for the public to be informed of road closures, flooded areas and areas which the public were advised not to go.

Social media is now one of the main ways in which people receive updates about the news and local incidents which affect them. Many are already signed up to Cumbria Police Twitter and Facebook accounts.

In a serious incident, it is important that people get the alerts that matter the most, those which could protect them and their loved ones. Cumbria Police are encouraging all users of Twitter to sign up to receive Twitter Alerts, a new feature to receive important information from the police.

The main features are:

-          It’s a free service

-          During a critical incident or crisis, it will enable us to highlight vital and time-critical content.

Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson said: “We provide the public with all kinds of information, from road closures to the sentencing of criminals at court. This alert system will allow us to ensure that those messages that are vital to public safety are seen first.

“When we are dealing with a serious or major incident, such as severe flooding, we will be able to send a Twitter alert and it will immediately be delivered to all subscribers as a text message or a special notification from their Twitter application. This will help to ensure that the most important information is brought to their attention and enable people to take any necessary action and inform friends and family members who could be affected but are not on Twitter.

“It is a free service that will support us in delivering key messages to the public during critical incidents.”

To sign up to Twitter alerts, visit: https://twitter.com/Cumbriapolice/alerts

Twitter alerts can help the public be better prepared and informed, but they do not replace official emergency notification systems or services.

If you are on Twitter or thinking of joining, you can follow Cumbria Police: @CumbriaPolice.

People can also stay up to date will all the latest information from the police at www.cumbria.polcie.uk/latestnews or on Facebook by following the Cumbria Police page at www.facebook.com/cumbriapolice

Don’t send an advertisement to thieves this Christmas

Cumbria Police are advising everyone who uses social media to be mindful of what they post.

People often update Facebook and Twitter with their activities, keeping their friends and family informed of what they have been up to. However, not all keep up-to-date with their security settings on their social media pages and can unknowingly have open pages for everyone to see.

Also, people do accept friend requests to give their following numbers a boost, without really knowing who the person is.

By putting all of your activities onto an open page, you are advertising when you have been Christmas shopping, when you are going out and when your house is empty. This is an open invitation to thieves who could be following you.

David Thompson, a Crime Prevention Officer in Cumbria Constabulary, said: “Telling people what you are doing is not a bad thing but we are encouraging people to make sure they know who they are telling.

“Simple steps by checking security settings on social media site such as Facebook or Twitter to ensure that only friends and family can see your posts, but not share them to a wider audience, can be one way to prevent your posts being seen by everyone.

“If you want an open page, then be careful about what you post, don’t advertise the fact that you have been Christmas shopping and bought all your presents and then will be out with the family that night. You are basically just telling everyone that your house is empty and full of presents.

“Have a think about who could see what you are saying and make a few simple adjustments to ensure that you are safe and secure this Christmas.”

Further information about staying safe online is available on our website at www.cumbria.police.uk/onlinesafety

Social Media Talk at Signal Films, Barrow

Police launch social media initiative to get victims back on their bikes.

Cumbria Police are launching a new ‘Flickr’ site where victims of stolen bicycles can post pictures of their property in a bid to get them returned.

The ‘Flickr’ site will be predominantly promoted by a hashtag - #wheresmybike, which people can follow and interact with.

Followers will be encouraged to visit the “Flickr” site where the bike photograph including unique identifiers and location of the offence will be provided. If an offender is known or an identification made, please do not post directly on social media, contact Cumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Craig Smith, Detective Inspector of the Force Intelligence Bureau, said “Bike theft is an increasing problem in Cumbria. Due to the soaring popularity of cycling, it is a crime that we would like to prevent from rising and help reunite victims of theft with their property.

“We are aiming to utilise social media to assist in our efforts to bring bike theft rates down. We believe that we can reach out to a wider audience by using social networking sites such as Flickr and Twitter highlighting where possible, stolen pedal cycles.”

In 2012, 910 bikes were reported stolen in Cumbria with the total valuation of the bikes stolen was over £480,000. In 2011, 941 bikes were reported stolen with the total valuation of the bikes stolen was over £380,000. So far this year, 377 bikes have been stolen with a total valuation of over £176,000.

Detective Inspector Smith added “With the Tour de Britain’s second leg being held in the county, as well as the picturesque setting which bikers can travel in, we expect to see a rise in the number of cyclists coming to the area.

“Thieves are opportunists and we would urge anyone who values their bikes to get them insured and to make sure it is locked up at all times when not in use. Treat your bike as if it was your car, you wouldn’t leave that unlocked.”

The Flickr site’s address is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cumbriapolice/sets/

Social Media Skills Workshop at Signal Films

FREE Social Media Workshops at Signal Films

Signal Film and Media are holding a FREE workshop series to boost the computing skills of out of work Furness residents.

The Internet is fast becoming the most important place to connect with others and to find employment opportunities. Suitable for both basic and more advanced Internet users, this intensive programme will give you the skills and confidence to develop your online presence and harness the power of social media for effective self-promotion and networking.

At the workshops you will:

Plan, design and build your own website using Wordpress.

Learn how to easily integrate your Wordpress website with Social Media widgets to maximise your online presence using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIN, Flickr, Pinterest, Vimeo, You Tube and many more.

Learn useful tips on targeting the right people on the Internet.

Have one-to-one careers advice based on your individual needs.

Group 3 (aged 50+): 3 day course

Monday 24 June                                10am – 5pm

Tuesday 25 June                               10am – 5pm

Wednesday 26 June                           10am – 5pm

Personal project: 2 days - Limited mentoring sessions available

Thursday 27 June                              10am – 5pm

Friday 28 June                                  10am – 5pm

Please email: nic@signalfilms to receive an application form or for further information call 01229 83859.

Courses at Signal Films, Barrow

 

Crime Commisioner's Internet and Social Media

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes launches his website and social media.

The internet and social media will be used as one of the ways of engaging with the people of Cumbria so that their views can be gained on the future policing service in the County.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said “The internet and social media is a key way that many people communicate and live their lives.

“The new internet and social media are one of the first measures I am putting in place as part of the development of the Office of Public Engagement which will be launched in March 2013.

“As Commissioner, I am keen to hear the views of the people of Cumbria and the internet and social media are a key way of doing just that.   Whilst, election campaigning I became aware of the demand from people for information on a 24/7 basis and often the only way of accessing that information is from the internet. 

“Also, the campaign was my first experience of using Twitter and I now appreciate the whole Twitter community out there and the strong voice that it has.  If you haven’t ventured on to Twitter have a go, it is not as frightening as you think!

“The internet and social media are growing in popularity all the time I am aware that not everyone has access to a computer so communicating by the internet will be one of the many ways that I engage with the people of Cumbria alongside the more traditional methods.

“Please just take a few minutes to visit the website (www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk) or follow on twitter (www.twitter.com/cumbriapcc) or Facebook (facebook.cumbriapcc).”

Signal Films FREE Social Media Workshops

To find out more you can download an information sheet here ...
https://www.box.com/s/0f5t5bv458d5kld3nhqn
For an application form ...
https://www.box.com/s/n9h0jm72qa34mrzcakek

Social Media workshops for out of work Furness residents