Police in E District have relaunched their popular text alert system across Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and Newry and Mourne. The system provides a quick and easy mechanism for police to alert the public to important local issues.
Registered users will receive live text alerts (SMS) of incidents in their local area and should respond by phoning 0845 600 8000 with information. An example of an alert may be regarding a missing person or a crime incident such as a robbery or a stolen vehicle that police may be seeking information about.
Constable Colin McCrum, E District Community Safety, explained: “We are always looking at ways to link in with the communities that we serve, particularly when it comes to preventing and detecting crime. The alert system had been shelved for a time due to technical issues, but as a result of listening to community feedback and having found a new technology provider, I’m delighted to say that we have been able to reinstate the system.”
The initiative makes use of mobile phone technology, which will enable police to send text messages to individual groups of people alerting them to a particular incident, or event.
In E District there are currently around 1550 members of the public signed to the scheme. This means that 1550 of you are receiving alerts in real time about issues that matter to you. The scheme also enables alerts to be issued to relevant groups so that users will nont be inundated with information that doesn’t relate to them. A number of groups have already been set up, for example scrap and metal dealers, members of the rural community, local businesses and local churches.
Constable McCrum continued: “Police will look at all technology that has the potential to help make your street and your town a safer place to live and enjoy. We hope that the text alert system will be particularly helpful for our more isolated rural communities, as well as older people who might not use smart phones and social media to stay connected.”
If you would like to sign up to the Community Text Alert scheme you can contact your local neighbourhood policing team or Sgt Wendy Walker, E District Community Safety, on 0845 600 8000.
