Social media a key tool in Police Rugby World Cup operation

Do you have friends and family overseas who use Twitter and Facebook? If so, Bay of Plenty Police would like your help to spread their message ahead of Rugby World Cup 2011.

Bay of Plenty Police set up a Twitter account in 2010 (www.twitter.com@BOPPolice) and a Facebook page in November 2011 (www.facebook.com/boppolice).

The District Communications Manager for Bay of Plenty Police, Jacky James, says they were set up to not only provide a new way of communicating with the local community, but also to reach visitors before they arrive in the region for major events.

"The Bay of Plenty is a major visitor attraction, with large numbers of domestic and international visitors heading to our part of the world every year. These people don't have access to local newspapers or radio before they arrive, so social media offers us another way to send them key information before they get here."

This information includes liquor ban maps, key event information, road policing, traffic warnings, road closures, parking and general safety information.

Mrs James says social media will be a particularly important tool in trying to reach the thousands of overseas visitors before they arrive in the Bay of Plenty during Rugby World Cup.

"As most people will be aware, the Bay of Plenty is hosting three games during this event – these will be held in Rotorua. While we are expecting a number of visitors for those games specifically, there will also be a large number of people travelling through Taupo and the Bay of Plenty on their way to some of the other key games in Hamilton and Auckland.

"Some international visitors may not have liquor bans in their own areas and may not understand what this means. If they're engaged with us ahead of time, we can provide this information and it won't be a surprise to them when they get here.

"Another very simple example is simply making sure international visitors know that our emergency is 111 and not another number that is used in the United States or the United Kingdom."

Mrs James says there are other official websites that contain this information, however, many online users are more familiar with Facebook and Twitter, with many sourcing their information from those avenues first.

"With today's technology, almost anyone with a cellphone can access these applications wherever they are, so it makes sense to have an online presence where people can easily find us."

Mrs James says both the sites are continuing to grow well, but they will become even more effective with larger numbers of followers.

"We would love the community's help to spread our messages nationally and internationally, so that we have a better chance of reaching those coming to New Zealand."

Mrs James says the sites are proving successful in helping spread public safety messages, or appealing for information from the public.

"We are increasingly seeing people forwarding or sharing our online messages to their own followers and friends. In one example, with one message we managed to reach approximately 1000 people through social media, this was on top of the traditional media coverage.

"An increasing number of people are also starting to engage with us directly, either providing feedback, asking questions or making comment about different topics. This is a really positive development."

Mrs James says the Bay of Plenty's Twitter account does not replace 111 for reporting crime, and members of the public should still dial 111 in an emergency or to report crime.