A new personal safety service available via a mobile phone app will be monitored by Securi-Guard from its Plymouth head offices after the award of a new contract.
The Monitoring Services arm of the South West-based fire and security contractor has been contracted to provide round the clock monitoring of the new PanicGuard app. It’s endorsed under ACPO’s ‘Police Preferred Specification’. It’s aimed at lone and vulnerable workers, those with medical conditions or anyone who fears they are at risk of assault. The app can record audio and video evidence to help in legal actions and prosecutions.
Pete Stanley, Head of Head of Telematics at Plymouth-based Securi-Guard, pictured, said: “The PanicGuard app is a significant development in the field of personal safety protection and we are delighted to be able to provide the necessary monitoring services to ensure its effectiveness. Securi-Guard is fully committed to supporting the work of both PanicGuard and Crimestoppers and we have the necessary knowledge and technology in place to give all users of this device complete peace of mind.”
Available for iphone and several Android mobiles, the app turns a mobile phone into a personal alarm and GPS tracker with audio and video recording.
The user activates the PanicGuard alarm by shaking or tapping the phone, which can also activate a flash to attract attention. At the same time, the mobile phone also sends an SMS message to the designated emergency contacts a user has chosen
When the alarm has finished, the app is closed and the device reverts to resembling an ordinary mobile phone home screen. If the alarm has failed to scare the attacker, the device then automatically records a short video which can be used to identify the assailant. If the attacker then attempts to steal or damage the phone, the video/audio recording has already been uploaded automatically to the user’s account on Panicguard.com
As the app uses GPS from the moment it is turned on, Securi-Guard’s monitoring team can backtrack a user’s movements prior to the alarm being activated, which may enable extra information such as CCTV footage to be gathered by police if required.
Every member of the monitoring team is fully trained in providing the necessary response to an activation from the device, which has been agreed with PanicGuard and Crimestoppers.
