Police in Norwich take to Twitter to track down injured cyclist

Police in Norfolk took to Twitter yesterday to find a man who had sustained a head injury in a road traffic collision while cycling in Norwich.

Officers made appeals via the Twitter accounts of Norfolk Constabulary and the Norfolk & Suffolk Roads Policing Team for the rider, who left the scene, to come forward.

#Mousehold #Norwich police concerned for a cyclist who has left the scene of an RTC who may have an injury please ring 101 CAD 284

— Norfolk Police (@NorfolkPolice) May 17, 2016

We are currently looking for a cyclist who was injured in a collision in Norwich this afternoon and left the scene, please call us

— N & S Roads Policing (@NSRoadsPolicing) May 17, 2016

Missing cyclist from Norwich collision had a head injury did you see him in the Chartwell Road area around 4pm??

— N & S Roads Policing (@NSRoadsPolicing) May 17, 2016

In the early hours of the morning, police tweeted that they had found the cyclist in question and confirmed he needed medical attention.

The injured cyclist we were looking for had been located, a few stiches should see him on the road to recovery, thanks for your help.

— N & S Roads Policing (@NSRoadsPolicing) May 18, 2016

The incident is an example of how police increasingly use social media to help in their investigations, although most forces stress that their accounts are not monitored around the clock and that the best way of contacting them is by phone on 101 or, in an emergency, 999.

In May 2013, Norfolk Police picked up on the infamous tweet from motorist Emma Way in which she said: “Definitely knocked a cyclist off earlier – I have right of way he doesn't even pay road tax," signing off with the hashtag #bloodycyclists.

After being alerted to her message, Norfolk Police tweeted her, saying: “We have had tweets ref an RTC with a bike. We suggest you report it at a police station ASAP if not done already & then dm us.”

In November 2013, Way was fined £300 plus costs of £337 and had her licence endorsed with seven penalty points after being found guilty of failing to stop after an accident and failure to report an accident. However, she was cleared of a third count of careless driving.