Neighbourhood crime is being targeted

Residents, schools and businesses signed up to the scheme can also message their own reports of crime or suspicious behaviour to officers.

Police stress that the "ecomms" system does not replace the 999 service, and that people should still phone in information for a speedy response.

But officers say the new system is an additional service which helps to focus attention on crime.

The messages from users go direct to Wrexham police station, where they are examined by an ecomms co-ordinator.

You obviously have to have e-mail but you could be someone in a shop, a church or even a school Pam Woss, Neighbourhood Watch

So far more than 300 people have signed up to receive the e-mails.

Local Neighbourhood Watch groups have been briefed on the scheme and volunteer Pam Woss said it helped them to fight community crime.

"I think it's absolutely fantastic," she said.

"You obviously have to have e-mail but you could be someone in a shop, a church or even a school."

The scheme covers Wrexham and Flintshire and has been set up by North Wales Police and Wrexham County Council.

"You go on to the website and supply your e-mail address and postcode and you get a crime update," said a police spokeswoman.

"This is not a replacement for 999, this is another way to raise awareness.

"If there is a crime in process e-mail is not the method to register it."

Residents can register for the service on www.ecommsnwp.co.uk.

Earlier this year thousands of workers on Wrexham's industrial estate were urged to sign up to an another innovative news service which details the latest crime and traffic problems.

Under the earlier scheme - the first in Wales - bulletins with information on criminal activity or road jams are sent to the 7,000 people who work on the estate.