GLOUCESTERSHIRE Constabulary is hoping to target new audiences as it takes over the running of the @Chelt52 Twitter account for a week between Monday February 10 and Sunday February 16.

The Force has around 13,000 followers and hopes to take advantage of the three and a half thousand followers that @Chelt52 also has.

@Chelt52 is a campaign set up by two marketing practitioners with the aim of showcasing what various companies and organisations offer to Cheltenham.

The tie-in coincides with Safer Internet Day, a national campaign run by UK Safer Internet Centre, which takes place on Tuesday February 11. Gloucestershire Police aims to educate people on how to use the internet in a safe and responsible way.

Chief Inspector Steve Gillett of Cheltenham Local Policing Area, who has responsibility for this week’s Twitter activity said “Social media is becoming an increasingly important tool in local policing as it opens up new lines of communication with the community.?

"Not many people are aware of the intricacies involved with local policing, from understanding specific communities and tailoring our methods and approaches accordingly, @Chelt52 provides us with a new platform to showcase the local policing and joint partnerships initiatives to residents of Cheltenham, making it more relevant to them ”

“We are aware that even though Gloucestershire Constabulary has a significant number of followers we are always looking at ways to broaden our reach. This gives us an opportunity to target nearly 4,000 extra Twitter users, some of which may not think to engage with the police on a day to day basis.”

“Over the next 7 days we will be tackling a wide variety of topics that we know are important to our residents, so please take a look, you might be surprised at what you can pick up!”

Between midnight(12am) on Monday February 10 and 11.59pm on Sunday February 16, Cheltenham officers will be offering information and advice, the topics being covered include:

• Safer Internet Day – Tuesday February 11

• The Aston Project – Wednesday February 12

• Neighbourhood Watch – Thursday February 13

• Night Time Economy – Friday February 14

• Football Tweets for Cheltenham Town v Wycombe Wanderers – Saturday February 15

• Shed Safety and Neighbourhood watch campaign – Sunday February 16

There is plenty more going on over the coming week. If you’d like to know more and about the @Chelt52 campaign log on to http://www.twitter.com/chelt52