IRISH COMPANY pTools has adapted its software to enable Lincolnshire Police to communicate with the local community via Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

The police force, which serves a population of more than 640,000, worked with the firm to add social media functionality as part of an effort to reach locals in new ways.

Lincolnshire Police already uses pTools-designed content management software (CMS) for its website and intranet, but this change allows it to automatically broadcast notices across a range of platforms. The force uses the technology to warn people of scams or local crimes, update them on traffic, or request information.

“The community aspect of the internet has grown so much in importance that a public service, like policing, should engage online,” said Lee Annett, customer relationship and business development manager at pTools.

“Content is at the heart of the social networking experience, so enabling pTools software to distribute content through social media has been a priority for us.”

Mr Annett said the company worked closely with the IT and communications staff from the force and adapted the software around their needs. Social media functionality is now a standard part of the firm’s CMS package.

The firm also provides software to the Department of An Taoiseach, the HSE and PricewaterhouseCoopers.