Northumbria Police has confirmed that staff are now monitoring official social media accounts 24 hours a day to help people in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, report non-emergency crimes. In an announcement this week, the force said residents can use direct messages and online tools at any time of day or night to share concerns that do not require an immediate 999 response.
The move to constant moderation follows a significant increase in digital messages sent to the force over the last few years. During civil unrest in August 2024, the force received approximately 20,000 social media messages, which showed how many people prefer to get in touch online during major incidents.
Residents can now report issues like theft or anti-social behaviour through private direct messages or the live chat feature on the police website. According to the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, these options are designed to provide a direct alternative to calling the 101 non-emergency line.
The force is reminding the public not to post details of crimes on public social media walls or comment sections to protect the privacy of victims. Instead, people should use private messages to ensure their reports are handled safely and do not interfere with police work.
This service is intended for non-urgent reports only, and anyone in an emergency situation must still call 999 for help. More details on these reporting methods are available on the digital contact section of the police website.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
