New community messaging service for Suffolk

Suffolk police’s messaging service that offers local people policing news for their area – is changing, bringing residents even closer to the officers who serve them.

Suffolk police is to start using a new free community messaging system called Suffolk Connected.

This is a free messaging service that will allow anyone to sign up to receive updates and information about issues affecting local communities.

It will replace the current messaging service called Police Connect.

People who are registered with the current Police Connect system will need to register with the new Suffolk Connected service to receive messages. If people don’t register, they will not receive them.

Most other police forces are using this system to great effect and with strong results. Known nationally as Neighbourhood Alert, Suffolk police will look to adopt this system to better engage with its communities.

County Police Commander for Suffolk Chief Superintendent, Janine Wratten, said: “The service will allow Suffolk police to communicate directly to our local residents through email.

“Crucially, it also allows our local officers to conduct surveys with residents relevant to their area to find out about the issues that matter to them and what local residents would like to see happen.

“It will also notify the public to community engagement events or public meetings we are holding, allowing them to provide feedback.”

To register with Suffolk Connected people will need to sign up online.

A link to Suffolk Connected will be available via this link suffolkconnected.org.uk

It will ask for basic details such as name, address, email address, and telephone number – It will be up to the user if they wish to add any further details such as their age, religion, gender, first spoken language etc.

Registration is straightforward; the simple online process takes only a couple of minutes and will give people the opportunity to specify the type of information they would like to receive.

Chief Supt Wratten added: “The public are a vital partner in tackling crime – we know that the information we get from them can be crucial.

“Use of the new Suffolk Connected system brings us closer than ever to the communities we serve and we hope that this will continue to strengthen our links and further build trust and confidence.

“People can get involved by signing up themselves, spreading the word within communities and also with family and friends.

“We look forward to making sure local people remain connected and engaged with Suffolk police so they can hear the latest updates, make sure their voice is heard and that their views will help shape how we police their area.”

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “Communication is key to maintaining trust and confidence so I am pleased to see this improved police messaging service being rolled out in Suffolk.

“Most significantly, the new ‘Suffolk Connected’ service allows two-way communication between the Constabulary and the public, which I feel is particularly important.

“I would encourage everyone to sign up – it’s free and will give Suffolk residents the opportunity to receive policing news targeted to their specific area.”