Tayside launches pilot for domestic abuse alarms

Tayside Police has become the first Scottish force to offer personal safety alarms to victims of domestic abuse. The lightweight, hi-tech device, which incorporates the latest global positioning system (GPS) technology, will help the emergency services to react quickly to people who are in danger and even assist in locating them wherever they are.

The GEMshield alarms are being rolled out in the Perth and Kinross area in collaboration with the Perth and Kinross Community Safety Partnership, Domestic Abuse and Violence against Women Forum and the provider of the service, Skyguard Ltd.

It is anticipated that the six-month month pilot project will help protect those victims who are deemed to be at the highest risk of harm from domestic abuse.

While this is the first time that the devices have been made available to victims of domestic abuse in Scotland, the devices have been extensively used within England and Wales.

The launch coincides with the 16 Days of Action to End Violence Against Women – an international campaign aimed at raising awareness of gender-based violence as a human rights issue.

Divisional commander of Perth and Kinross division, Tayside Police, Chief Superintendent Craig Suttie said: “I am pleased that Tayside Police is involved in this initiative and I am confident that these devices will offer reassurance and reduce the fear experienced by victims of domestic abuse, particularly when they are not at their home address.

“We will be issuing mobile alarm devices to victims of domestic abuse and these will assist in getting timely help from emergency services to a victim where they find themselves in imminent danger from a known abuser.

“An extremely quick response will follow with the emergency services fully aware of who is in danger and where they are.

“This is part of the continued commitment by Tayside Police and our partner agencies to protect the victims and their children from what is a deplorable crime behaviour and to reduce the chances of their being victims of such incidents in the future.”

Councillor Willie Robertson, chair of the Perth and Kinross Community Safety Partnership, said: ‘‘The protection of women and children who suffer from domestic abuse is an important part of the work carried out by the community safety partnership. I believe that these devices will increase victim’s confidence in their own safety and provide them with the reassurance that should they require help it can be more easily obtained.”

Karen McMillan, coordinator at Perth and Kinross Domestic Abuse and Violence against Women Forum, added: “This is a very positive initiative. It will provide much needed reassurance to women, increase women’s safety and, as part of the wider initiative, we would hope that it will eventually help to reduce levels of repeat victimisation.”

David Ince, chief executive of Skyguard, said: “Input from police professionals has been the guiding force for every aspect of the implementation of our service. As a result, 21 police divisions throughout the UK use our service.”