Bluetooth Messages

Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary teamed up with the Granary Pub in Loreburn St, Dumfries on Saturday night (07/08/2010). Patrons of the pub were asked to turn on their Bluetooth device on their mobile phone while in the bar. This enabled the police to send them Bluetooth messages about awareness of substance misuse. The information sent out by Bluetooth messages ranged from alcohol unit awareness to the dangers of mixing recreational drugs along with alcohol. Over the Saturday night 450 messages were sent and 184 messages were accepted by patrons within the Granary.

Detective Constable Scott Jardine, Substance Misuse Coordinator said “This is another communication method now being employed by the police and allows us to educate members of the public as to harm and dangers of substance misuse. The messages we sent mainly concentrated on alcohol abuse on this occasion but the can be changed easily to allow us to pass a message on a number of subjects. We were very pleased how the trial went on Saturday. Future messages will allow us to pass on information on a number of subjects from recreational drug abuse, to ensuring people know how many units of alcohol are in each drink.

“Saturday was chosen as the town was going to be busy with revellers enjoying their night after the Dumfries Show”. Detective Constable Derek Hughes the Crime Reduction officer from the force said “We would ask all members of the public to turn there Bluetooth on within their phone. The Bluetooth messaging system will be used by the police more and more at major events not only with a substance misuse message but any message we need to pass out to the public quickly, and this could be anything from a missing person to an appeal in a major crime investigation”

Audrey Gardiner, Manager of the Granary said “We are pleased to help the police in this kind of initiative. It is in our interest to ensure that our customers are a nice safe environment to enjoy their night out and this is another way to help keep people aware”.