Bolton residents urged to join Bee in the Loop scheme

Greater Manchester Police’s Bolton officers are urging people to sign up to their community messaging system after it emerged at a recent Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting that many had never heard of it.

Officers introduced “Bee in the Loop”, a free service designed to keep the public informed about crime, incidents and policing activity in their area at the meeting in Tonge Moor UCAN Centre.

It came after residents raised concerns about how they can stay “in the loop” with what is happening locally.

Despite the scheme being in place across Greater Manchester, several attendees said the meeting was the first time they had come across it.

One resident said: “I’d never heard of it and I don’t think many others will have.

“This will really help keep us up to date on what’s happening, because I had no idea this all existed.”

Another added that better awareness of the service could help residents feel more connected to their community and more confident in reporting concerns.

Neighbourhood Inspector Wayne Warner told those present that public engagement is essential for effective policing, and encouraged residents to make use of the tools available.

He said: “We know people want to feel informed about what’s happening in their area, and Bee in the Loop is one of the easiest ways to do that.

“The more people who sign up to services like this, the better informed communities will be and the more we can act on local concerns.

“It gives residents direct updates from their local officers, rather than relying on word of mouth or social media posts they might miss

“Bee in the Loop” allows residents to receive updates tailored to their neighbourhood, including crime alerts, appeals for information and details of local initiatives.

Users can choose how they receive messages, including email or text alerts.

Officers also highlighted GMP’s increasing use of social media to communicate with the public.

The force is particularly active on Facebook, where it regularly shares updates, appeals and results from investigations.

Police told the meeting that their social media posts now reach around 1.8 million people, reflecting a growing shift towards digital engagement.

Residents were also reminded of features available on the GMP website, including a postcode search tool which allows people to identify neighbourhood officers covering their area, view recent local news and incidents, and access links to report crime or provide information.

Officers said these tools are designed to make it easier for the public to stay informed and to contact police in a way that suits them.

The meeting also drew comparisons with traditional neighbourhood watch schemes, with “Bee in the Loop” described as a modern, digital alternative allowing faster and wider communication.

Inspector Warner added that improving awareness of such services is now a priority.

He said: “It’s about making sure people know what’s available to them.

“The more people who sign up and engage with us, the better we can respond to the issues that matter locally.”

The discussion highlighted a clear gap between the availability of digital policing tools and public awareness of them, something GMP hopes to address through continued community meetings and outreach.

Residents across Bolton are now being encouraged to sign up to “Bee in the Loop”, follow GMP online, and report concerns to help strengthen communication and improve community safety.