Police officers accused of spending too much time tweeting rubbish while kids are dying on our streets
Forces across the country have been spending thousands of pounds on social media, while serious crimes are going unresolved
POLICE officers are tweeting about where they should get their morning coffee while their beats are being hit by an unprecedented crime wave.
One bobby in Muswell Hill, North London, wrote last week that the “hardest decision I’ve got to make while out today is what venue will get the pleasure of my company while I sit and savour the delights of their coffee."
In the days leading up to the post the Met was investigating the death of 23-year-old Russell Jordan Jones in nearby Enfield — just one of more than 50 murders in London this year.
And the capital’s Boys In Blue are not alone in trying to win over their community with humour.
Forces across the country spend up to £20,000 on social media as serious crime goes unsolved, the Sun on Sunday can reveal.
A Freedom of Information request found that Lancashire Constabulary spent £20,000 to run its online account in the year to October 2017.
On December 24 last year, it tweeted a story about Father Christmas, which read: “Breaking News. We’d ask all parents to read our statement below #kidsgotobed.”
Greater Manchester Police had a 2016/2017 budget of £15,780 for social media, with one officer tweeting a photo of his kebab and writing: “After 7 long late afternoon/night shifts covering Response/999 across North Manchester, it had to be done.”
Essex Police, which we discovered had spent more than £8,000 in 2016/2017, even has a Twitter account for its dogs.
Cambridgeshire Police committed £1,200 to social media in 2015/2016 and £1,000 in 2016/2017. Officers regularly update followers with pictures of their force dogs.
Last month, one picture was captioned: “Catching criminals for biscuits #MyDreamJobIn4Words.” The force was also investigating a murder in Huntingdon.
The City of London force also updates followers on its animals, including posting a picture of two of its horses — and the “conversation” the nags were having. It read: “Beau, I’m not sure I like the look of those fellas over there.”
“Me neigh-ther, Trug. They’ve been stood there for an awfully long time.”
“Let’s rein them in.”
“Protecting the city together — on two legs and four.”
A number of forces encourage officers to post selfies.
Cumbria Police, which committed £2,976 to social media in 2016/2017, shared a snap on its Carlisle account of two officers posing with a person dressed as Fireman Sam.
Northumbria Police was left red-faced last month after tweeting a picture showing the view from the upstairs window of Newcastle Crown Court, while a murder trial was taking place metres away.
Under the Contempt of Court Act 1981, no pictures or videos are allowed to be taken in any part of a court building.
The offence can carry a prison sentence. The post was hastily deleted.
During the Beast from the East cold snap in February, Durham Constabulary posted a picture of a snowman wearing a police hat and high-visibility jacket.
The Road Policing Unit at the force also posted snaps of footprints in the snow alongside the caption: We believe Fred Flintstone had visited the County today #3459’.
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Some people do not see the funny side.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “It’s crucial forces stay focused on preventing and solving crimes.
“Taxpayers would prefer their cash spent on bobbies on the beat, rather than officers that tweet.”
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