Medium Cost Interventions
10. Emergency Call Points
Emergency call points and QR reporting boards are public safety tools designed to increase accessibility to emergency services and streamline crime reporting.
These systems are installed in high-footfall or high-risk areas such as:
- Parks
- Transport hubs
- University campuses
- City centres.
Emergency call points are physical devices that allow users to instantly contact emergency services or security teams. QR reporting boards are signage with QR codes tat link to digital reporting platforms, allowing users to anonymously report incidents, access safety information, or request help.
Emergency call point (unit cost): £2,000-£5,000 per unit
QR board design & printing: £50-£150 per board
Installation (call point): £500-£1,500 per unit
Software integration & backend setup: £10,000-£30,000 (initial setup)
Staff monitoring & response (annual): £20,000-£60,000 per site
Total (small area deployment): £15,000-£50,000
Total (large-scale deployment): £100,000-£500,000+
Site selection & risk mapping: 1-2 months
Procurement & design: 2-3 months
Installation & testing: 1-2 months
Staff training & public awareness: 1 month
Total: 6-12 months
Call point servicing & repairs: £500-£1,000 per unit
QR board replacement & updates: £200-£500 per site
Software updates & hosting: £5,000-£15,000
Staff monitoring & response: £20,000-£60000
Annual Maintenance Costs: £25,000-£85,000
Lifespan: 5-10 years (with upgrades)
Effectiveness
Emergency call points and QR boards have demonstrated measurable impact in improving public safety and reduced street crime.
City of Calgary installed emergency call points, leading to faster response times and increased public confidence in safety infrastructure. Greater Anglia transport hubs saw improved passenger safety and reduced ASB after installing call points with CCTV and auto-dial features. QR codes in public spaces enabled real-time reporting and multilingual access to safety instructions, improving inclusivity and reducing reporting barriers.
CPTED studies show that increased visibility and access to emergency support reduces crime by up to 30% in high-risk urban areas. Key success factors include strategic placement in high-risk zones, integration with CCTV and real-time monitoring, anonymous reporting options, and public awareness campaigns.