FAQs
Neighbourhood Alert provides an advanced community messaging system. It is the largest, secure, two-way community messaging system in the UK. It is used by more than half of the UK Police Forces as well as Fire & Rescue Services, Police Commissioners and local Authorities.
To sign up to the new WMnow system, you are required to complete an online, secure registration form which will help us to target our information to you. As a minimum, we will need your name, your address and an email address.
During the registration process and in your 'administration' area you will have the opportunity to review and select additional licensed information providers who will, if authorised by you, be able to see your data and send you messages. Although all the information providers listed may not be actively using the system at this time, you will be notified as they come on board. You can remove any information provider at any time. Your data can never be sold to outside agencies, it is stored within the highly secure, encrypted, Neighbourhood Alert system and managed under strict data processing framework.
No, you will only receive messages from West Midlands Police and any other agencies that you have chosen to have messages from.
Yes, you can opt out of receiving messages or update your settings to change the types of messages you receive at any time. Emails from the WMnow system have a link at the bottom to 'change settings'; simply click on this link to review your settings and update them.
The WMnow system can be used to send messages via telephone and text services, however, it is primarily an email messaging system so it is important you include an email address. On very rare occasions, when we need to get information out to you in an emergency, we may use the telephone and text services. Also if your email becomes unavailable for whatever reason, we need your mobile number so we can contact you to let you know that we are having problems delivering your email alerts.
All WMnow messages are sent within the secure Neighbourhood Alert system, they come from alert@neighbourhoodalert.co.uk and are clearly branded as being from West Midlands Police. If you have chosen to, you may receive messages from other information providers such as Neighbourhood Watch or Action Fraud.
Yes, we welcome your comments and thoughts. Clicking on the 'reply' link within the message will send your reply to the person that sent the message.
Yes, all emails are read and appropriately actioned. Please be aware that sometimes we will not reply if it is simply information you want to pass to us for our attention. Even if you do not hear from us directly then please be assured that everything you send us is seen. These messages are sent out to request information regarding specific issues or to advise or update you, unless we have specifically requested information regarding an incident, please do not use this system to report crime. You can report crimes by getting in touch via Live Chat on our website 8am- midnight, by calling 101 or in an emergency always dial 999.
No, other subscribers will not see any of your details.
It is not recommended that you forward the WMnow emails directly to other people (using the conventional "forward" button) as this is not secure and if they reply or un-subscribe using your email buttons it will cause confusion. There is a 'share' button on all emails that allows you to share the message via other social media platforms.
Yes, use the "Login" link at the bottom of the WMnow email, or visit your account details at www.wmnow.co.uk
No, it is free to sign up to and receive WMnow messages. If you reply to a text message or dial in to the voice message system then you may be charged at your standard network rate for the text message or phone calls.
No, this will not be replacing any Neighbourhood Watch schemes. WMnow is linked to the national Neighbourhood Watch 'Our Watch' system and will improve the way in which Police and Watch schemes are able to communicate with and support each other.
No, in an emergency you should always dial 999. An emergency is when there is a risk of serious injury, there is risk of serious damage to property, you suspect a crime is in progress or there is a serious incident which needs immediate police attendance. For everything else get in touch via Live Chat on our website 8am- midnight or call 101.