The RCMP says social media is not the way to notify police of an incident that requires police investigation.

The RCMP says it is seeing an increase in posts to social media concerning alleged crimes that have not been reported directly to police.

The Mounties say people are also sending messages and video through Facebook messenger to RCMP NL with the expectation that police will follow up and investigate.

The RCMP is reminding the public that police must receive a formal complaint in order to investigate a crime either through a phone call or a visit to a local detachment office.

In terms of video “evidence,” police say enforcement requires the gathering of evidence through formal witness statements and other investigative avenues. They say videos and social media posts on their own, do not likely meet the threshold for evidence of an offence or to support charges.

Crimes can also be reported through Crimestoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477, by Secure Web Tips at www.nlcrimestoppers.com or through the P3 Tips app.