A new app that turns your smartphone into a personal safety device has been launched.
The PanicMe app was developed with English police forces and is marketed as a product which could ease fears after Kings College London research found two-thirds of Britain do not believe crime rates are falling.
The app alerts up to 30 contacts on your phone if the app is activated, with three different levels of seriousness represented by green, amber and red alerts.
Red is a high-risk situation where danger is imminent, and you could be abducted or seriously ill, amber represents serious trouble, and you are likely to need help within half an hour.
The green status is for a low-risk situation, where you have become lost or separated from your group and you need help in an hour or two.
The app uses GPS tracking to show your network your exact location and also shows which of your contacts is the closest to help.
After an alarm is raised, contacts are notified by push notifications to their own smartphones at regular intervals until the alarm is deactivated.
David Lindley QPM, former Deputy Chief Constable at Leicestershire Constabulary, said: ”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.”
The basic app, PanicMeLite, includes only the green status and is available for free, while the full version costs £14.99 per year.
