Merseyside Police launches Web 2.0 website to engage neighbourhoods

Merseyside Police has launched a new, fully-featured website and Web 2.0 strategy to engage with local neighbourhoods. The website was built by GOSS Interactive and uses web content management software GOSS iCM (intelligent content management) for the daily administration of the website.
The website provides direct access to local information and a host of new features that will make it much easier for residents to find out about their neighbourhood, such as :
•A more advanced postcode search enabling citizens to quickly find out the details of their local neighbourhood policing team and how to contact them.
•The ability to personalise the website to specific locations ‘where I live’, so that each time a user visits, the website automatically displays updates about local policing issues.
•Direct links to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, enabling citizens to share news and information about local policing issues with their friends.
•More opportunities to interact with Merseyside Police, from rating and commenting on hot topics to nominating local policing priorities online.
•RSS feeds allow citizens to subscribe to updates on wanted appeals, news and events.
In addition to these new features, the site carries all the latest news and announcements from Merseyside Police, the latest job vacancies through a new e-recruitment system and the ability to report non-emergency crimes online.
Jayne Pugh, head of communication and marketing at Merseyside Police, said: “This is the first step in a delivering a new online communication strategy and offers brand new ways for the public to engage with and become involved with policing in their neighbourhood.”