Staffordshire Police are changing the way residents can contact them.
The change will mean that people will no longer be able to report crime on Facebook or Twitter, but will be able to speak to a Force Control Room Operator 24/7 via a new ‘LiveChat’ option which will be available on their website. You will also be able to continue to report crime directly on their website.
This LiveChat function will be activated at around 7am next Monday (7th February). It has been brought in as police continue to look at better ways of responding.
This new scheme will mean that, from the moment you start a LiveChat, a dedicated Force Control Room Operator will be across your case and will be responsible for making sure it is dealt with in the most appropriate way.
It is hoped that this change will reduce waiting times on non-emergency 101 calls.
Chief Superintendent, Emily McCormick, who has led on the change as part of the force’s control room, said: We are implementing this change to deliver a better and more responsive service for our communities.
“As part of this, we have invested in our control room to provide additional staff, helping us to reduce wait times on both 999 and 101 calls. This new LiveChat function will, we hope, help with this too.
“The new way of reporting will mean you get to speak to a person, not a robot, straight away and will be supported throughout the process of allocating your call to the best department or signposting you to the most suitable agency.
“We understand that many people continue to use social media on a daily basis, however, we believe such channels are no longer the best option for reporting crime in our communities.
“LiveChat will be accessible to all, easy to navigate and an overall better way of speaking directly to us when you need to.”
