GREATER Manchester Police now reaches more than one million people on social networking sites.

During the first two weeks in December, the force communicated with more than 750,000 people on Facebook, and this figure rose to almost a million last week.

GMP already has more than 115,000 followers on Twitter and uses other social networks, including YouTube, Flickr and Pinterest.

Social networking is being linked to a number of high profile operations, including a Christmas crime crackdown called Operation Advent.

Dep Ch Constable Ian Hopkins said: “We regularly get positive feedback about our updates using social media.

“The updates make it easier for people to find out what is happening in their area and also what we are doing to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

“The advent calendar has certainly helped to get people into the festive spirit but also gives them some valuable advice on how to stay safe.”

For more information go to gmp.police.uk/ socialmedia.