A new online messaging service has been launched by Dyfed-Powys Police to help keep people better informed about local policing.

The free system, called Dyfed-Powys Connects, will deliver updates on crime, anti-social behaviour, community events and crime prevention advice directly to email inboxes. It is now available to residents in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.

Chief Superintendent Clark Jones-John said: “Dyfed-Powys Police is committed to listening and responding to the community’s concerns, and there are a suite of ways we already speak to people in the communities we serve - but we know we can do more.

“We understand not everyone wants to engage with the police on social media, or speak to us in person, so Dyfed-Powys Connects offers a new way to connect us to the public and will help us reach and hear from even more people to ensure we address local concerns."

The system is interactive, giving users the choice of which alerts they receive and how often. Subscribers will also be able to reply directly to messages, take part in quarterly surveys and share feedback with their local neighbourhood policing team.

“Our communities play a key role in preventing and detecting crime and anti-social behaviour," said Chief Supt Jones-John.

“I’d encourage anyone who wants to know more about what the police are doing in their area, or who wants to help improve community policing and the safety of their neighbourhood to sign up today," he added.

The force has stressed the service is not for reporting crimes or incidents, which should still be reported through the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing @dyfed-powys.police.uk, by calling 101, or via direct message on social media.

More information and sign-up details are on the Dyfed-Powys Connects website, which can be found at: https://dyfed-powysconnects.co.uk/