PEOPLE with a burning question they want to ask police can now do so using a personal computer and a website instead of having to phone up.
The new website aims to cut the number of calls the force gets by answering the most frequently asked questions.
A police Frequently Asked Questions database gives the public access to information at the click of a mouse at www. askthe.police.uk
Rather than picking up the phone, people with internet access can get answers quickly and easily without placing an extra burden on the force's busy switchboard operators and helpdesk staff.
The answers to more than 500 frequently asked questions can be found.
It features a wide range of topics, from what to do after a road accident to how to take action over fly tipping.
Visitors to the site can also ask a question and rate the usefulness of the responses.
New questions and answers are continually being added to the site.
Visitors to the site are also able to find information relevant only to the force area where they live.
Nationally, the public website receives about 25,000 hits per week.
Chief Supt Eileen Bancroft, who is in charge of West Yorkshire Police's Communications, said: "The more people can make use of this brilliant resource, the more time our call handlers will have to deal with more urgent calls."
