THE Internet is being used to target the region's police forces by members of the public who have grievances against them. Domain names for sites which are similar to those of the official police sites are being bought up and used to post information about forces and officers.
The domain names can be purchased for as little as £12.99 and there are still some sites available with names which bear likenesses to the police sites, which could be acquired by anyone. Currently, if a person logs on to cheshirepolice. com or cheshirepolice.co.uk, they are immediately linked to policecorruption.co.uk. The text on this site says it was set up by a retired Surrey police officer who claims to have received hundreds of complaints about wrongdoings by police forces.
The same person has also bought the domain names policecomplaintsauthority. co. uk, policeauthorities. co. uk , manchesterpolice.co.uk, and lancashirepolice.co.uk.
The Police, extremely critical of the new sites had this to say, "We would always advise any member of the public who wishes to contact the force with comments or views to contact their nearest police station."
Yeah right.....