Controversial plans to close the Tayside Police Facebook page have been scrapped.
Police Scotland had planned to do away with local pages in the move to the new national force, replacing them with one Scotland-wide profile.
However, the plan faced an instant backlash in Tayside, where the force’s Facebook page has built up an audience of almost 35,000 people.
The Tayside force has been hailed as a leader in its efforts to use social media to engage with the public, and supporters were concerned that local content would be drowned out.
In a post on the page today, the force announced: “Tayside Police is thrilled to inform our followers that the local Tayside Facebook page will be staying.
“Police Scotland had made a decision to merge the existing police Facebook pages into one corporate page but thanks to feedback from our followers the Tayside page will now be staying. The page will simply be re-branded as Police Scotland Tayside Division from April 1 2013.
“You will continue to see local appeals, updates and information in line with our community policing style.”
The force added: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Facebook followers for your continued support in helping share our appeals far and wide. Not only do you frequently provide us with vital assistance at critical times but you also offer us valuable feedback on how we are policing communities in Tayside.”
Follower Jennifer Brand posted: “People Power at work! … This page is invaluable to so many of us, offering advice, information, and providing in some instances, peace of mind. Delighted to hear this news, and keep up the good work!”
Steven Smith added: “A Scotland-wide police Facebook page just wouldnt work for addressing/sharing local issues!”