THE long arm of the law has taken to cyberspace to get the policing message home.
Tandridge Police has the most popular Facebook page out of all 11 districts in Surrey.
Tandridge Beat has 621 "likes" – leaving neighbours Mole Valley, which has 100 "likes" and Reigate and Banstead with 68, in the shade.
Set up about 15 months ago, its mixture of crime news, safety and security tips, with readers' feedback – coupled with a mixture of witty puns and pithy poems – has made the page a quick success.
PC Andy Simms, a neighbourhood specialist officer for Caterham on the Hill and Chaldon, is among the police and civilian staff who regularly update the Facebook page.
He said: "It's a great way of getting the local community to interact with us.
"It is all presented in a bright and breezy way, rather than in police jargon which people might find a bit boring.
"Residents may not always see us out and about – although we often are – but they can go online and find out what is happening in their neighbourhood."
A post from December 19, after police arrested a suspected drug dealer, reads: "Someone got an unexpected tap at the door yesterday evening in Caterham.
"The good news is he got fed by us... the bad news is that his 'clients' may not get their Christmas deliveries. Ho ho ho!"
And a pre-Christmas poem imparts the don't drink and drive message.
It says: "Had a good night at a party, with good friends and ales hearty, please beware, please take care, take a train or bus – be a smarty."
Beverley Connolly, who is vice chairman of Tandridge District Council, said: "The Facebook page is brilliant, and I just loved the rhymes at Christmas.
"It shows a human side to the police and lets us know what is going on, which in turn helps us all. Well done."
And town centre jeweller Andrew Browne, who chairs Caterham Business Partnership, said: "The fact that it is quite witty and tongue-in-cheek at times makes it that much more readable.
"It's nice to get feedback on what is going on in our local area.
"If, for instance, there has been a spate of car thefts, it's good to be able to get immediate news on what is happening."
The page can be found at www.facebook.com/tandridgebeat. People can also follow Tandridge Police's Twitter feed, which has 454 followers, at www.twitter.com/tandridgebeat
