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Northumbria Police Facebook plea to Jack Wilson splits opinion Northumbria Police Facebook wanted man plea splits opinion
(about 3 hours later)
A police force's direct Facebook appeal to a wanted man has divided opinion among users of the social media network.A police force's direct Facebook appeal to a wanted man has divided opinion among users of the social media network.
Northumbria Police posted "just a quick message" to Jack Wilson, from Ryton, to ask why he has been "breaching" bail conditions. Northumbria Police posted "just a quick message" to Jack Wilson, from Ryton, reminiscing about previous dealing and begging him to get in touch.
The post reminisced about previous dealings with Mr Wilson and begged him to get in touch.
Some called it "brilliant", but others a "waste of taxpayers' money".Some called it "brilliant", but others a "waste of taxpayers' money".
Mr Wilson later handed himself in to the force, which confirmed he was no longer breaching bail conditions.
A spokesman said Mr Wilson had a curfew after being arrested for offences including witness intimidation and criminal damage.A spokesman said Mr Wilson had a curfew after being arrested for offences including witness intimidation and criminal damage.
The post read: "It isn't that much of an ask to stick to your curfew and now you're avoiding our calls. We're beginning to think you don't want to speak to us."The post read: "It isn't that much of an ask to stick to your curfew and now you're avoiding our calls. We're beginning to think you don't want to speak to us."
Following the opening introductions, the post continued: "You only have a couple of options now.Following the opening introductions, the post continued: "You only have a couple of options now.
"You either pay a little visit to a police station or you give us a call on 101 and we come and pick you up."You either pay a little visit to a police station or you give us a call on 101 and we come and pick you up.
"It would save us all a lot of time and we would be really happy to see your face walking through our doors."It would save us all a lot of time and we would be really happy to see your face walking through our doors.
"We're a friendly bunch and just want to keep local people safe. I'm sure our followers will back us up on that.""We're a friendly bunch and just want to keep local people safe. I'm sure our followers will back us up on that."
It concluded: "So Jack, do us all a huge favour and get in touch. We can't wait to see you.It concluded: "So Jack, do us all a huge favour and get in touch. We can't wait to see you.
Within three hours of being posted on Facebook, the message had been shared more than 4,200 times and attracted more than 1,400 comments.Within three hours of being posted on Facebook, the message had been shared more than 4,200 times and attracted more than 1,400 comments.
One Facebook poster said it was nice to see a "different approach".One Facebook poster said it was nice to see a "different approach".
They added: "How many people are now talking about this? Far more than if they had just seen a page saying this kid has skipped bail."They added: "How many people are now talking about this? Far more than if they had just seen a page saying this kid has skipped bail."
Another praised the force for "using their brains and funny bones".Another praised the force for "using their brains and funny bones".
'Shocking behaviour''Shocking behaviour'
But others were more critical.But others were more critical.
One said: "Makes me sick to be a taxpayer knowing my money is being spent on sarcastic posts."One said: "Makes me sick to be a taxpayer knowing my money is being spent on sarcastic posts."
Others called it "unprofessional", "immature" and "shocking behaviour from the police".Others called it "unprofessional", "immature" and "shocking behaviour from the police".