Police defend their Facebook page postings

The huge backlash came as the Irish News ran article headlined ‘Officers warned over Facebook overindulgence’.

However, police Facebook pages across the province have received messages of support from fans, telling the neighbourhood officers to keep up the good work.

The Craigavon PSNI Facebook page has a following of almost 6,000 and is updated regularly by local neighbourhood officers.

Craigavon PSNI has rebuked the criticism saying: “We are proud of our Facebook page and of the way it helps us to talk to our local community and listen to what they have to say.

“The number of likes on our page only tells part of the story. We are able to see that we are reaching more than 30,000 people through our Facebook page. This gives us the opportunity to help you stay safe and to keep you updated about we are doing in your area.

“You are helping us too – you are helping us solve crime and keep people safe.

“We use Facebook to let you know that we are out and about tackling crime in your area, to give you advice on how you can protect your property, valuables and, of 
course, yourself, to make you aware of crime and to listen to your concerns, issues 
and to answer the 
questions you want to 
ask.”