So: Busting to offer an opinion on the Government’s plans for policing but can’t get to London? Can’t find a Minister to listen? Technology to the rescue…

Policing minister Nick Herbert will be undertaking a live online Q&A at 11.00 BST on Monday 2 August on the Number10 website to answer your questions on the Government’s plans to change the face of policing over the next five years. Earlier this week, the Government launched the consultation Policing in the 21st Century: Reconnecting Police and the People, which contains proposals for ways to make police in England and Wales more available and responsive, more accountable, more effective, and better value for money (allegedly).

You will be able to submit questions during the Q&A directly into the discussion or via twitter (see. told you should be on Twitter! – find me at twitter.com/openeyecomms)

They will be using the CoveritLive platform, which I have previously seen used very effectively by a Neighbourhood Inspector in Cumbria (in conjunction with the local newspaper). Worth joining the chat just to check out the possible use of the platform as a means of encouraging local involvement and engagement.

I’m grateful to Sussex Police’s Robin Smith (twitter.com/ChSuptSmith), who ran his own live online ‘Virtual Town Hall’ session last year, for bringing this to my attention.

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