Community Message Broadcasting Service

Fact Sheet

The Community Message Broadcasting Service (Ringmaster) is a voice, fax and e-mail messaging system that has been designed to circulate information rapidly and keep you informed of current events and crime in your area.

(1) HOW DOES IT WORK?

Each registered person is a point on a map based on their postcode. This is how they are primarily targeted. They also are further classed based on who they are,
whether you are a resident or part of a Neighbourhood watch scheme, Business Watch, Horse Watch, pub Watch and a host of others. This way crime information or important event information gets to the right people in the right area. A voice message is typed and recorded into the Ringmaster computer and then the people targeted to receive the message are selected. You will receive the message by the contact type you select. This can be telephone, fax, or e-mail. If you choose the telephone the message will be played to you as soon as you answer the phone. If you choose e-mail or fax, the message will be come through written down. Beyond this main contact type, we also ask that you have a dedicated telephone contact number in case there is an emergency that we need to tell you about. This can be the same number you would normally receive information but you may be contacted outside the times specified by you, but this will only be used in an absolute emergency.

(2) WHAT IF I MISS SOME OF THE MESSAGE ?

When the message is read out, important facts will be reiterated to emphasise the point of the message. But once it gets to the end of the message, you normally won’t be able to get the message again. It is advisable to keep a pen and paper handy by the telephone. If you find that you often miss the messages you can either provide an electronic contact point like email or fax where you will receive a hard copy of the message, or I can set the system to use a menu system where it asks you if you want the message replayed over again. However you will need to tell me if you want this option. You can also ring me in the office to go over the information that you may have missed during normal office hours.

(3) WHAT IF I AM UNABLE TO ANSWER THE PHONE?

Messages will normally only be broadcast during the call times chosen by yourself on your registration form. Should you not be available to receive a message, the system will redial every 2 hours up to a maximum of 3 times or until the message is delivered.

(4) WILL RINGMASTER TALK TO AN ANSWERPHONE ?

Yes, however the system will start to deliver the message as soon as it hears a voice and cannot tell the difference between an answer machine and a person. You will find that you will be missing the first part of a message because of your answer machine message. For this reason important parts of the message will be reiterated.

(5) WHO DO I PHONE IF I HAVE ANY INFORMATION ?

If the information is in response to a Ringmaster message, please contact Derbyshire Police on 0845 164 1644. Tell the call-handling operator that the information is in response to a Ringmaster message and give the Crime reference/Incident number that will be given with the message. Do not be concerned if you are unable to recall the reference, but please be sure to provide as much information as possible. Do not contact me in the office by phone or email if it relates to a crime. If you have a new incident or crime to report, please contact Derbyshire Police on 0345 123 33 33. In the case of an emergency, 999. You can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(6) WHAT IF MY CONTACT NUMBERS CHANGE ?

Contact me, the Divisional Community Information Officer on (01332) 613244 and I will amend any records as appropriate.

Please note that the Ringmaster system is not compatible with the following:
– Older and “pulse” type dialling telephones (most modern phones use “tone“ dialling).
– Telephone systems which require a prefix number (usually 9) in order to reach an outside line.
– Contact numbers that will not accept anonymous incoming calls.