Police in Scotland are offering personal safety devices to domestic violence victims. These portable devices utilize GPS technology and also help in gathering evidence.
The alarms, operated by Skyguard Ltd, will be given to those deemed to be at the highest risk of harm from domestic abuse.
When a device is activated, it transmits the victim’s position to an operator at a Skyguard control centre and also alerts police. The alarm is designed to work on any mobile phone network.
A two-way audio line is also opened between the operator and the victim, but Det Sgt Nicolson said the operator would not speak unless it was obviously safe to do so.
The audio is recorded and can be used as evidence.
The pilot is a joint project with the Perth and Kinross Community Safety Partnership and the Domestic Abuse and Violence against Women Forum.
Ch Supt Craig Suttie, from Tayside Police, said the devices would “reduce the fear” experienced by victims of domestic abuse, particularly when they were not at home.
