VISITORS to the Avon and Somerset Constabulary website can now get a first hand insight into policing from a senior officer.

Chief Inspector Andy Bennett is writing a regular blog for the site, commenting on all aspects of policing and reacting to local and national policing news.

Members of the public will be able to make comments on Chief Inspector Bennett's views.

He said: "I've spent many years working in community policing and wanted to start writing a blog to reach the wider community.

"I will talk about local and national issues and hopefully make sense of local decision making and policy.

"This will only develop with the public's participation so I encourage people to post their comments on to the blog site and tell me what you want to know more about.

"I will be updating the blog at least once a week when I go off duty, sometimes with video footage.

"People can subscribe to the blog so that every time I update it they will be e-mailed to tell them."

Scott Fulton, force Internet Development Manager, said: "Blogs are becoming increasingly popular and are a very social aspect of the internet.

"This is one of the many ways that we are making police officers more accessible to the public as part of neighbourhood policing and builds on the already popular website.

"You can also contact your local neighbourhood team via our website and find out more about policing in your community by going to the 'in your area' section.

"We also hold regular webchats, which give anyone another chance to talk to officers via the internet."

Key areas of the police website can also be accessed through the interactive section on satellite and cable television, public police kiosks and via internet enabled mobile phones.

To see the blog click on the link below.