Over 1,000 Blaenau Gwent residents sign up to police messaging service

Those who join Gwent Community Link receive timely updates on recent investigations, incidents, appeals for information, engagement events and more.

Police officers in Blaenau Gwent have been visiting residents across the borough to talk about their new messaging service, Gwent Community Link.

The free service allows Blaenau Gwent residents to sign up and receive email updates from their neighbourhood policing team on recent incidents in their area, appeals for information, crime prevention advice and more.

Since the initiative was rolled out in the borough, over 1,000 have signed up and started to receive updates from their local officers.

Inspector Stevie Warden said:

“The team and I have been pleased with the response to the new messaging service, with many residents expressing an interest in receiving policing updates and crime prevention advice from officers.

“We’re committed to protecting the public from the effects of crime and, through this new service, can provide updates around the work we carry out to tackle crime trends and send messages that help people protect themselves and their belongings from crime trends like theft or fraud.

“For example, it may be that we’ve received reports of an increase in thefts from sheds or outbuildings in Abertillery. As our officers investigate, we can notify you about the increase, share some advice around protecting your property, perhaps share an appeal to identify somebody as the investigation progresses and, subsequently, notify you when a suspect has been arrested.

“An added benefit is also that the partners we work with – like Neighbourhood Watch and Action Fraud – are already using the system, meaning residents can also opt to receive updates from them.

At present, the service is only available for residents living in Blaenau Gwent, but it is hoped it will also be rolled out across further counties and boroughs in the force area.

Do you live in Blaenau Gwent? Would you be interested in receiving policing updates from your neighbourhood team? Find out more and join the conversation by visiting www.gwentcommunitylink.co.uk.