ESSEX Police bosses have launched an account with social media app ‘Snapchat’ in a bid to get in touch with youngsters.

The force’s account officially launched yesterday and last night had about 200 followers - though bosses hope that number will grow into the thousands within days.

It is hoped the app, which has a minimum age of 13, will allow the force to better connect with younger members of the community.

It will be used to run appeals which are particularly relevant to younger people by sharing live photos and videos from the scenes of drugs raids, police dog deployments and road traffic operations.

Information on domestic abuse will also be included while witness appeals after night time incidents have also proven to be useful for other forces across the country.

Gareth Nicholson, head of communications at Essex Police, said: “Every conversation we can have with people, whether online or on the street, helps to build understanding and awareness of what we do and we hope gives people more confidence in us.

“Snapchat is used by over 10 million people in the UK and we want to use it as a tool to connect with a younger audience in Essex who too often can be ignored.”

The force already uses Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Flickr and Instagram.

A force spokesman added: “The figures show the bulk of the users are aged between 18 and 34, so that’s why we’re hoping to target younger people with it.

“The ‘live’ element of it is unique. We will be able to show what is happening there and then.

“More and more people are using it and veering off Facebook and Twitter and more photos and videos are viewed on it than are viewed on Facebook.

“Each video must be below ten seconds for upload so people won’t have to set aside minutes to watch something at all.

“It is not a platform which is dying out at all.”

To follow the force, search for ‘essexpoliceuk’.

Snapchat’s crime-fighting element was pioneered by West Midlands Police, which was the first force in the world to use the app in 2014.

That force covers Walsall, Coventry, Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said each picture of video which is uploaded to the app is viewed by between 6,000 and 7,000 people.

She added: “It has become pretty much our main channel for young people, although we don’t use it for everything.

“We have actually found the audience to be younger than 18, down to 14 - it is a definitely a very young audience.”

The force uses the channel predominantly to release information on young missing or wanted people as well as “light-hearted” stories such as when police dogs are deployed.

During the 2014 launch communication officer Keiley Gartland said: “Part of this work is about connecting with younger people and helping them to feel they have a close connection with their local police force.

“We’re primarily targeting a younger audience on Snapchat and it means when we really need to get an important message out to the community, we’ll have a captive audience.

“We can share crucial updates on incidents and crime prevention tips whilst also offering a unique insight into our work.”