Hertfordshire Police have been cracking down on local drug use by sending text messages to anyone suspected of buying cocaine from a local network of drug pushers. The text campaign came about after 17 drug dealers were arrested after setting up 3 hotline numbers for ordering cocaine.
After the arrests were made, the police seized the criminal’s mobile phones and checked through their inbound call records to uncover anyone suspected of purchasing drugs via the hotline numbers. A text message was then sent out to inform the suspected buyers of the arrests, as well as information to deter them from buying drugs again. A website address was also included for recipients to visit for information & advice on drugs abuse & its seriousness.
Chief Inspector, Richard Hann stated that “This was the first text initiative he was aware of… and the recipients were low drug users, likely to be affluent professionals using drugs for recreational use”
Reports claim that this campaign proved effective in reaching a large audience quickly, easily & very directly in one big hit. The message theme was also useful in providing a warning message aimed at deterring recipients from buying drugs again.
The Textlocal messaging service was used to deliver the 688 outbound text messages on behalf of Hertfordshire Police.
Textlocal also work with a number of other Police and local authorities, for lead generation purposes, whereby people can simply text in with inbound information in response to a crime E.g “Text CRIME to 60777 with your information”
