A SERVICE which provides text, voicemail and email messages on policing matters, is marking its first anniversary with a series of events.

The Wiltshire and Swindon Community Messaging system was launched in four areas in August last year.

Now, 12 months on, Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) from West Swindon, Swindon Town Centre and Westbury will be holding the first of two weeks of community events to promote the system and sign up members of the public.

Since its initial launch, 6,274 people have signed up to Wiltshire and Swindon Community Messaging. This number grows steadily every day.

People who sign up to the system will receive free messages – by email, text and voicemail – from their local officers about police and crime matters in their area. NPTs will be holding community events as below to talk to the public and sign them up to Community Messaging.

  • Swindon Town Centre, August 3, 10am to 1pm at Canal Walk
  • West Swindon, August 3, 11am to 3pm at Moredon Library
  • West Swindon, August 4, 11am to 1pm at Tesco, Wroughton 
  • West Swindon, August 4, 4pm to 8pm at Even Swindon Community Centre 
  • West Swindon, August 5, 4pm to 8pm at Western Community Centre
  • Westbury August 6 1.30pm to 4pm at Morrisons, Edward Street

Members of the public will be able to meet their local officers, discuss how Community Messaging works, sign up for free and get crime prevention advice.

Wiltshire and Swindon Community Messaging is not monitored 24 hours a day.

People should always call 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency.