POLICE in E District have launched Facebook pages in each of the four policing areas – Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and Newry and Mourne – to provide local residents and businesses with another channel to engage with officers and contribute to the policing debate.
Each of the pages contain information and news about policing and community initiatives in your own area.
The four pages have attracted more than 1700 followers and the public are now being invited to like their local page and follow policing through social media.
Armagh and Banbridge Area Commander, Chief Inspector Ken Mawhinney explains how Facebook can act as a timely, two-way channel of communication.
“The new Facebook pages for Armagh and Banbridge will give us the opportunity to give timely, relevant information to the community which will ultimately help them to stay safe and informed.
“While many people still rely on ‘traditional’ media outlets, such as local newspapers, TV and radio for information about what is happening in the area around them, many others use social media platforms to keep informed. As a police service we recognise the need and benefit of communicating and engaging in discussions through this medium.
“The speed of modern communications and the urgent nature of some messages police need to circulate means social media offers us an excellent way to get information out to local people quickly. It only takes a few minutes to upload information, and this can then be accessed instantaneously by our followers.
“Officers will update the content of the pages while they are on-duty and on the beat in communities.
“We also welcome comments that local people may want to post on the site and while we will do our best to answer questions and reply to posts, the sites aren’t monitored 24/7. They are not intended as a means for reporting crime and people are encouraged to continue to use the 0845 600 8000 number to report incidents in their area or to dial 999 in an emergency.”
If you would like to follow policing in your local area you can like us at www.facebook.com/psni.Armagh and www.facebook.com/psni.Banbridge
