20 Aug 2010
Norfolk residents are getting the latest news from their local policing team direct to their email inbox, mobile phone, landline and fax thanks to a newly-launched community messaging system.
For the first time people can sign up for information about crime, safety and crime prevention advice, police meetings and convictions relevant to their town or village in a format they so wish.
The system, called Police Direct, was launched in July to increase the ways in which the Constabulary’s communicates with the public, encouraging the public to engage with the police.
The technology for the Police Direct service is provided by HTK Limited, who also provide the Police Direct service to neighbouring Suffolk Constabulary and other police forces across the UK.
In the first few weeks in excess of 3,000 members of the public have signed up to receive police information, including co-ordinators and members of Norfolk Home Watch. The public can also sign up for information according to different areas of interest including retail and business, tourism and leisure, agriculture and Airport Watch.
All messages residents receive are free. Registration is simple via a link on the Norfolk Constabulary website, through the Constabulary’s switchboard or by filling in a form at one of Norfolk’s Public Enquiry Offices.
Residents are automatically sent information from their Safer Neighbourhood Team according to their postcode. At the click of a mouse it is also possible to receive information from other areas of the county.
Members can opt to receive an e-newsletter highlighting the work being carried-out by their local Safer Neighbourhood Team. It is also hoped the system can be rolled out to instantly inform people of major road accidents and diversions.
Anne Campbell, Director, Communications & Public Affairs said: “Our new community messaging system, Police Direct, is available to everyone. All people need to do is to sign up and select the services they would like to receive, including notice of street briefings, when SNTs will be available and where, local crime information and also to receive regular newsletters about what police and partners are doing in their area.
“We understand that the public need to see us in action and that we need to be available for them when they need us, not just in emergency situations but for a whole range of reasons. We have been designing our services around the public and responding to what they have been telling us”, she said.
Commenting on how Police Direct will help Norfolk’s communities, Anne Campbell continued: “As an example we tell you a shed was burgled in your village. You know that your next door neighbour doesn't lock his door but you've never felt comfortable to say anything. You may now be more inclined to pop round and tell that person.
Justin Bowser, HTK Director of Public Sector commented: “We’re really delighted to be working with Norfolk Constabulary to extend the Police Direct service across the East of England. The team at Norfolk is really proactive and tech-savvy, and immediately saw the benefits of the HTK Horizon platform as a way to put relevant and timely information into the hands of local citizens. It's a way for the public to start helping themselves and each other in their own communities.”
HTK has a long track record in deploying SMS and multi-media solutions for police forces and other UK public bodies using a software-as-a-service approach. The selection of the HTK solution by Norfolk Constabulary followed a competitive process through the Government Buying Solutions framework.
- ENDS -
Press contact: Sarah Porter | sarah.porter@33-digital.com | +44 (0) 20 7608 8356
About HTK
The HTK Horizon software-as-a-service platform changes the way that businesses sell to and serve their prospects and customers. Horizon’s industry leading CRM data segmentation capabilities and one-stop integration of email, social, SMS and voice comms enable the creation of more effective marketing campaigns, a higher adoption of customer self-service and greater customer satisfaction, with the ROI and cost benefits of a true SaaS solution.
Horizon is used by small businesses, government departments and large enterprises including BT, Specsavers, O2 UK and over half of UK Police forces.
