CUMBRIA’S newly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner has launched his website and social media.

It will be used by Richard Rhodes as one of the ways of engaging with the people of the county so that their views can be gained on the future policing service.

“The internet and social media is a key way that many people communicate and live their lives,” said Mr Rhodes.

“The new internet and social media are one of the first measures I am putting in place as part of the development of the Office of Public Engagement which will be launched in March 2013.

“As Commissioner, I am keen to hear the views of the people of Cumbria and the internet and social media are a key way of doing just that. Whilst, election campaigning I became aware of the demand from people for information on a 24/7 basis and often the only way of accessing that information is from the internet.

“Also, the campaign was my first experience of using Twitter and I now appreciate the whole Twitter community out there and the strong voice that it has.

“The internet and social media are growing in popularity all the time I am aware that not everyone has access to a computer so communicating by the internet will be one of the many ways that I engage with the people of Cumbria alongside the more traditional methods.”

Visit the website on www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or follow on twitter (www.twitter.com/cumbriapcc) or Facebook (facebook.cumbriapcc).”