MELKSHAM Police are urging local people to join their Community Messaging Scheme.
“Community Messaging has been created to provide ease of access to information shared by Wiltshire Police, such as community alerts like road closures,” said Melksham Police Sergeant Gemma Rutter.
“It also provides you with information on policing news; events information; local area crime trends; appeals for information; consultations; crime prevention advice and even outcomes of court cases relating to incidents in your area.
“It’s a fantastic scheme which helps Wiltshire Police and our partner agencies connect more closely with our communities by keeping people informed in a timely and easily accessible manner.
“You can find out information about your local policing team; you can message us and receive replies. It doesn’t however, replace the 101, 999 and online crime report systems so please don’t report an incident using Community Messaging.”
Out in the community
The last fortnight has seen the Melksham Police team busy promoting the scheme out in the community.
“To raise the profile of Community Messaging, we held a number of patrols and drop-in surgeries in Melksham which we advertised on our Facebook page for Melksham,” said Sergeant Rutter. “From the Community Campus and Costa Coffee to the park, we met a great number of the community and signed up a fair few to the messaging scheme – it isn’t too late to sign up if you didn’t bump into us in town.
“What I love about the Community Messaging Scheme is how much information you can access from your local organisations.
“You can receive messages from Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Neighbourhood Watch, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Action Fraud and Get Safe Online. And you can also receive newsletters from Canal Watch, Church Watch, Dog Watch, Farm Watch and Horse Watch, so there really is something for everybody.
Joining
“If you want to join the Community Policing Scheme you can do so by going to www.wiltsmessaging.co.uk or come along and see us at one of our drop-in centres or pulse patrols; we will advertise these in advance on our social media pages. You can also sign up by scanning the QR code on leaflets we will leaving in key local areas such as the Post Office, Library and local supermarkets.
“Community starts at home on our own streets so let’s all work together to keep our streets safer. Joining is quick, simple and free. There are no contracts, costs or obligations of any kind for members of the public signing up.
“You are only asked to verify that some basic contact details are correct before you start receiving messages. Once you have verified your account by responding to an email, you will be ready to receive messages from us.
“Your personal details entered during the sign-up process will be securely held under the provisions of the Data Protection Act 2018 and only the organisations you choose to see your details can see them. Your information will not be shared with anyone other than Community Messaging administrators.
Neighbourhood Watch
“I would also encourage every subscriber to look at the Neighbourhood Watch section because you can either join an up and running watch or start your own!”
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