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Live action day tweets success for Walsall police
6 December 2012
WALSALL police opened its doors on social media yesterday, as Twitter and Facebook followers received minute-by-minute updates on a wide variety of policing activity across the borough.
The morning kicked off with a 'fly-on-the-wall' appearance at the Walsall police daily management meeting, where senior police officers discuss the offences that have taken place over the previous night and discuss policing tactics for the day ahead.
Twitter and Facebook followers got the chance to follow a live drugs warrant executed by St Matthew's neighbourhood policing team. Officers forced entry to a fifth storey flat in Orlando House, off Sandwell Street in Walsall at approximately 10am.
You can watch a short video clip showing officers forcing entry to the property on the Walsall police YouTube page.
Following the warrant Twitter followers received a virtual tour and an update on activity in the custody block, including photographs of the cells and even meals served to suspects in custody.
In the afternoon officers from the Willenhall neighbourhood policing team carried out co-ordinated patrols outside Fibbersley Park primary school on Noose Lane. Parents were warned about inconsiderate parking and speeding as police and civil enforcement officers ensured the safety of school children.
The live action day culminated with a live web chat with Superintendent Fraser who answered 30 questions from the public on a variety of topics.
135 people tuned into the live chat.
Superintendent Keith Fraser, responsible for local policing in Walsall, said: "Yesterday was a great success and I want to thank all of those who followed us, retweeted, asked me questions and left messages of support.
"We have already had over 150 new followers join us on twitter as we strive to improve direct engagement with our local communities.
"Obviously social media does not replace traditional forms of engagement but it certainly shows that the public are interested in communicating in this way.
"I want to reassure the public that we are keen to deliver a service that the people of Walsall need. It is my intention to run similar live action days on social media in the future."
You can follow Walsall police on Twitter and on Facebook for the latest information about the borough.
