Press Release 14th February 2005: "Crime wave in Logistics Sector targetted"
PeopleSafe – the answer to lone worker safety?
New security device and voice monitoring service combines discretion with evidence gathering to protect logistics workers
A new safety service called PeopleSafe from security specialists RockSure Systems Ltd could revolutionise the way in which lone workers in the logistics industry can protect themselves from attack and bring prosecutions against people who abuse them physically or verbally.
PeopleSafe combines the latest mobile phone technology, discretely packaged in a unit containing the identification badge of the lone worker, with a range of pre-agreed options including sound recording , emergency alarm-raising and locating the individual in distress. It allows the lone worker effectively to covertly make a call which is answered and recorded, without taking the often provocative step of taking out a mobile telephone when the incident is taking place. The Peoplesafe monitoring centre will then follow the necessary escalation procedure to provide the most rapid and appropriate assistance to the worker in distress, alerting the emergency services if necessary.The incident recordings can then be made available if prosecution or further action is required.
“It’s about making use of modern technology as well as understanding the issues involved, the potential provocations and the vulnerability of lone workers in the logistics sector,” says Ian Johannessen, Managing Director of RockSure. “PeopleSafe is not just a panic button-style device, it is a comprehensive service which provides an appropriate solution depending on the seriousness of the situation facing the individual – whether this may be simply alerting the PeopleSafe monitoring centre and enabling them to listen in, or whether it may be a case of locating the at-risk individual and responding to their need through police support.
The amber alert “check in” function will automatically raise an alarm if the user has not checked in at a predetermined time interval. This is particularly relevant for pick-ups/drop offs when drivers are most at risk. The device is always with the driver so he/she can raise an alarm even when out of their vehicle.
“The service enables the recording of abuse for potential future prosecution and provides a range of pre-agreed options that can be brought into effect should the situation facing the lone worker deteriorate.”
The PeopleSafe system is a positive step forward for lone worker safety throughout the transport sector, as Ian explains: “We see this system as a real breakthrough for lone workers. Clearly, strategies are in place for the deterrence of abuse but incidents do still happen and lone workers are still subjected to unacceptable levels of abuse from time to time. PeopleSafe provides workers with the ability to raise the alarm and also record the incident without waving a mobile phone in the face of the assailant (which invariably fans the flames) and allows them to resort to the law with evidence that is virtually impossible to get in any other way.
“Over time, as cases come up, convictions are secured and more and more lone workers use it, PeopleSafe will certainly play its part in deterring unacceptable behaviour, at this stage however it is more about gathering evidence and enabling prosecution as – we think - a valuable system which will be warmly welcomed by all public-facing employees.”
For more information on PeopleSafe, please visit www.peoplesafe.co.uk
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