Follow Cheshire Police on Twitter this week and get a unique insight into what goes on behind the scenes and keeps the wheels turning round the clock.

Cheshire Constabulary is opening its doors to the public for the first time via social media on Thursday, September 29 - to reveal a day in the life of the force.

The Twitterthon will run from 7am to 7am and will not only show the work of support staff, but also those police officers who are not often public facing and who often deal with the more complex areas of policing – ensuring justice is done and victims are protected and supported.

Following on from the success of Channel 4’s 999 What’s Your Emergency, which follows frontline officers, the Constabulary has decided to shed light on the critical, often unseen, work carried out across the county – all designed to show a different perspective.

Cheshire Police are taking part in a Twitterthon
Cheshire Police are taking part in a Twitterthon

Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: “The success of 999 What’s Your Emergency has put our force firmly in the spotlight, showing the issues and challenges our frontline officers face every day. So far we have received extremely positive feedback from the public who have had their eyes opened to the work we do.

“At Cheshire we pride ourselves in making the best use of technology to improve policing and make us more open and accessible. Twitter has become an integral part of how we interact with our communities.

“We have carved ourselves a reputation as a force that communicates effectively with the public. The Twitterthon, which is a first for the force, shows we are continuing to lead the way in communicating with the people that really matter.

“We want to show what goes on behind the scenes, focusing on those whose work supports our frontline officers in keeping our communities safe and protected.

“We are extremely proud to serve, and work together with, the local community and the Twitterthon is an innovative way of highlighting the unsung heroes who provide the vital support which keeps Cheshire Constabulary operational.”

By following @cheshirepolice on Twitter or #CP24 early in the day, you will see what sets the agenda and who determines what police officers do and where they should be.

During the day you will meet some of the staff and learn about the work they do to support the frontline. Some of the teams you will meet include call takers, custody officers, mechanics, crime scene investigators and, of course, the dogs who work alongside our officers.

As the day shift comes to an end the attention will shift to those officers and staff who continue to keep Cheshire’s communities safe throughout the night and into the early hours of the morning.

Police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, David Keane, said: “This will offer a unique insight into the workings of Cheshire Constabulary.

“I’ve been spending time with departments and teams across the county both on the frontline and whose activity is usually unseen, to see first-hand the work that they do and the challenges they face.

“I’ve been really impressed with the support they provide and this is a great opportunity for residents of Cheshire to get the same insight.

“I am also keen for people to find out more about the work of Cheshire Cares, a valuable asset in providing support to victims of crime who are often at the lowest point in the lives and are in need of specialist assistance to help them cope and recover from their ordeal. It will also be a chance for people to find out more about restorative justice and how this is used to support victims and prevent crime.”

In March, Cheshire Police’s Twitter account reached the milestone of 100,000 followers – reinforcing the fact that this social media platform is an important tool that allows the force to interact with the public.

For the past seven years the Constabulary has embraced the popular social networking site to deliver news, highlight incidents and issue witness appeals to tens of thousands of Cheshire residents.

Twitter has been used to communicate a broad range of news, from the tragic to the humorous and from the serious to the downright bizarre. Cheshire has become known for a style that is both informative and engaging.

Get involved by following Cheshire Police’s main account, visiting the local policing unit accounts, or by using the hashtag #CP24.