Smartphone users can now set off a personal panic button to alert family and friends that they are in danger. PanicMe fires off alerts of differing levels of importance to a chosen network of contacts if the user feels threatened or vulnerable.
The sender’s location is then pinpointed using GPRS and potential responders can see how close they are so they can put a plan of action in place.
Offering a traffic light of options, a red alert tells the sender is in imminent danger of being attacked or hurt. It also suggests you will need help soon, while green means you are in a low risk situation, such as being lost or breaking down.
The alerts can be sent to up to 30 contacts and can be accessed by police, who are able to login when notified at their control room.
Contacts are notified by pop-messages on their smartphones at regular intervals, with the space between the alerts depending on the panic button option. The alerts only stop once the alarm is deactivated by the sender.
The app, which launches this week, was developed by experts at DataMe, who worked alongside local police forces to come up with a programme to help people feel safer in their daily lives.
Former Deputy Chief Constable David Lindley, who acted as a consultant on the project, says: “There may be any number of reasons and circumstances why people feel afraid or vulnerable.
“With so many people these days having a mobile phone, apps such as PanicMe cannot only help to make those in need feel much safer but can also give peace of mind to those who care for them.”
Smartphone users can download a limited option of the PanicMe button for free. The complete version costs £14.99 and is available for the year on Apple, Android and Windows Smartphones.
-With dailymail.co.uk input
