A police constable based in Hammersmith and Fulham has become a social media star after online videos about his work went viral.

PC Shawn Ross, a Dedicated Ward Officer (DWO) for College Park and Old Oak, draws in audiences of up to 80,000 people from across the world with his weekly Cuppa With A Copper live video chats.

It has audiences tuning in from Britain and abroad, with followings in America, Sweden, Russia and New Zealand, listening to the affable 37-year-old beat bobby discuss and answer questions about policing and how it compares to other countries.

PC Ross said: “I’m asked questions on police brutality and the legalisation of cannabis.

PC Shawn Ross, who works in the College Park and Old Oak ward

“In my job, you genuinely see many sides to a story. I’m not as quick to judge as most people.”

The shows are hosted on the Live.ly app and have been running for about a month.

One of his viewers is Hannah Murphy-Jones, from Kentucky, USA. She said: “The show allows people everywhere to see how police officers are human beings and not just law-enforcers. I also enjoyed learning about gunless patrolling.”

The policeman admits he never expected to receive such a following, and that he is “gob-smacked” with the response.

“It’s like having my own talk show and I love it,” he said.

“Live.ly was my opportunity to reach out to all the kids around the world who are facing increasing pressures like bullying and online grooming.

“We’re now in an age of apps and that isn’t going away”.

PC Shawn Ross' webchats have seen a worldwide audience tune in regularly to hear him discuss policing in the UK

PC Ross, who is active on Twitter and Instagram too, also has got the backing of his boss - Hammersmith and Fulham borough commander, who praised his man for showing “great initiative”.

He said: “We encourage our officers to engage in modern forms of communication.”

For the less social media-savvy residents, PC Ross will be conducting face-to-face Cuppa with a Copper meetings from Thursday, October 13 at the Old Oak Housing Office, Erconwald Street W12 0BP where he will be on hand to discuss crime and policing issues with the community from 5-6.30pm.

Further Cuppa With A Copper events will be held at different times on October 31, November 11 and 28, and December 10 and 22.