A social media network backed by regional publishers Archant is being used by a police force in London to reach hundreds of households through home computers and iPhones.

The Met’s Tower Hamlets division became the first in London to use the Streetlife network when its page went live on Friday to reach almost 500 local followers already signed up to the social network.

Streetlife began after its founder Rupert Jermyn’s flat was burgled in 2010. It gave him the idea of setting up neighbourhood networks across London where households would watch out for each other.

Now it’s a nationwide operation with 100,000 users so far, in partnership with police and local authorities.

The service is free to households, local groups, charities and local authorities but receives revenue from businesses who want to plug in to people talking to each other.

“We’re putting neighbours in touch in their postcodes,” said Streetlife’s Nina Whittaker.

“It’s where they recommend local plumbers or want to borrow a lawn mower or ladder, perhaps offer to do gardening or discuss objections to local planning applications, campaign for a pedestrian crossing or prevent the local post office, library or pub closing down.”