A new free platform called PSNI Connect will launch across Northern Ireland on Thursday 1 October, allowing residents, businesses and community groups to receive updates from local police and provide feedback.

The platform enables users to choose what information they receive, including crime prevention advice, local appeals and details of events. It cannot be used to report crimes or incidents.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the platform would connect people with officers working in the places where they live, work or regularly visit. Users will be able to complete local surveys to tell police what impacts them and help shape policing priorities. All contact is private and cannot be viewed by anyone else in the community.

Superintendent Joanne Gibson, who leads the project, said PSNI Connect aims to connect communities and build confidence. It is about working in partnership to solve issues impacting communities most. Around 1,500 people have signed up during an initial launch in Lisburn and Castlereagh and Newry, Mourne and Down at the end of June.

The Northern Ireland-wide rollout follows a launch event at the Dunadry Hotel in Antrim on Tuesday 29 September, attended by around 120 stakeholders including representatives from policing and community safety partnerships, education, housing and sport.

The platform was funded by the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime to support greater community involvement. Officers involved in the initial rollout and colleagues with experience of similar projects elsewhere in the UK shared lessons at the event.

People can sign up at www.psniconnect.co.uk. Anyone who has been the victim or witness of a crime should use the PSNI's reporting channels rather than PSNI Connect. Non-emergency incidents can be reported online at www.psni.police.uk/report or by calling 101. In an emergency, call 999.