Gwent Police has introduced a dedicated social media desk to allow people to report non-urgent crimes or get advice online 

The desk, which began its six week trial in December 2018, was introduced to help Gwent Police become more accessible to the public, especially to the harder to reach and more vulnerable members of the community.

Gwent now joins a small number of Forces in the UK who also provide the service, which is available online 24-hours-a day seven days a week.

Throughout December, when the Social Media Desk went live with the trial, there have been over 6000 messages that have gone via the Social Media Desk (through Direct Message on both Facebook and Twitter) with demand increasing each week. 

On average, Gwent Police receives between 1,000 and 1,200 phone calls a day, of which between 750-900 are non-urgent and do not require immediate police attendance.

Some people may find it easier to write down their report or question, and for some, picking up the phone would not be an option.

Since the social media desk went live, Gwent Police has already received reports of historic rape, domestic violence and stolen vehicles among other things.  

People are reminded 999 should only be used when: a crime is happening now, someone is injured, you, or someone else is in danger, the person who has committed the offence is still there or nearby.