A FREE service which enables residents to keep track of criminal activity and incidents in Barnsley could receive a shake-up to boost its slow take up rate.
According to latest figures, just 1,700 Barnsley people have signed up to SYP Alerts in a year and police are now looking at implementing a software change to enable residents to pinpoint their specific ward area.
The service, which every Barnsley resident can sign up to via a website or on a paper form, gives them access to either voice messages, emails or text alerts about crime committed across the borough.
It also enables on-the-beat bobbies to post instant messages which locals can respond to, keeping them in the loop about officers’ whereabouts and what they are dealing with on a particular day.
According to a report compiled by Acting Chief Constable David Hartley, South Yorkshire is one of the leading areas for the alerts scheme which each force across the country has adopted.
“As of July 17, 11,162 people have signed up to SYP Alerts, providing information directly to South Yorkshire residents from more than 260 officers and police staff.
“The system provides a range of information to followers, from information about where and when they can meet their local neighbourhood policing team to advice and information on scams, to local burglary information.
“It allows followers to reply directly to their neighbourhood policing team as well as enables them to rate the messages they are receiving and is proving to be popular amongst residents.”
Although figures show there has been an increase in people signing up in Barnsley, which has gone from 770 in February to just over 1,700 in July, the town is seen as one which has not been as successful as others in South Yorkshire.
Sgt Brad Wynne wants more people to sign up - but admitted some work has to be done before it functions perfectly for users to take advantage of.
“SYP Alerts is a great way for police to contact communities as officers can use it to immediately post an alert out to residents who are signed up.
“Some people have said a few of the updates are pointless to them - for example if the resident lives in Kendray and they get an update from a Penistone officer, it’s not what they want to know.
“So the idea is that going forward users will be able to tailor the service down to their ward area.
“It’s a more accessible option as opposed to Facebook and Twitter as not everyone has access to social media.”
To sign up see sypalerts.co.uk
