A pilot scheme starts today that police say will give the Manx community real help, advice and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

@tweetbeatIOM offers immediate interactive access to the police force. Followers will be alerted to the significance of a tweet via a traffic lights system. Green is for information, amber for alerts and red for warnings and appeals. Those who take advantage of the network will be given information such as the location of police speed traps, road traffic collisions, diversions and missing or wanted people.

@tweetbeatIOM will be patrolled by a serving police officer as part of their other daily duties and, says the Constabulary, goes beyond a simple twitter message or facebook update by offering a fully integrated approach to public information and crime prevention.

The virtual bobby, available from today, is to be officially launched on Friday May 23 to coincide with the start of TT practice week.
Chief Constable Gary Roberts said: 'We are determined that the Constabulary’s use of social media will not diminish our traditional commitment to face-to-face communication, but will build on our very real police presence.

'@tweetbeatIOM will be visible. Follow us and we will tell you where we are, what we are doing and respond directly to you when you need our help.’


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