Derbyshire Constabulary is launching the county's very first virtual police surgeries next month so community members can chat to their local Safer Neighbourhood policing team via the internet.
The virtual surgeries will allow an online discussion to take place between residents and neighbourhood officers; so that members of the public can ask questions regarding local policing, talk to officers about community concerns or find out more about home and personal security.
Chief Inspector Graham McLaughlin said: "The virtual surgeries will provide residents with another way of contacting and chatting to their local Safer Neighbourhood policing team.
"We already hold a number of meetings and drop-in police surgeries in the community in places such as libraries and church halls. While the virtual surgeries won't replace these face-to-face meetings, we want to offer people another way to talk to their neighbourhood officers.
"The virtual surgeries mean that you can stay home, logon to the internet and find out more about police work in your area, or ask any questions you might have about policing issues such as anti-social behaviour or burglary.
"Derbyshire Constabulary is one of the first police forces in the country to offer virtual surgeries and we hope that many people will come online to talk to us about policing in the county's communities."
The first virtual surgeries will be held in Erewash and Amber Valley and will take place on the following dates:
- Tuesday, 6th April. For residents of the Long Eaton West area which covers West Park and the Petersham Estate.
- Friday, 9th April. For residents of the Alfreton Rural area which covers the villages of Crich, Whatstandwell, South Wingfield, Lea, Dethick, Pentrich and Holloway.
- Monday, 10th May. For residents of the Duffield area which also includes Milford, Idridgehay, Alderwasley, Blackbrook, Cowers Lane and Hazelwood.
- Tuesday, 1st June. For residents of Codnor and Waingroves.
Each of the virtual surgeries will begin at 7pm and run until around 8pm. To log-on, please visit the Virtual Surgeries section just before the start time. When the event starts, the main chat area will prompt you to click on it to join the conversation.
Members of the public can also contact their local Safer Neighbourhood policing team by calling 0345 123 33 33 or by logging on to www.derbyshire.police.uk for further information.
