Low Cost Interventions
2. Personal Safety Alarms / Wearable Panic Buttons
Compact devices or app-based tools that emit a loud alert, or silently notify emergency contacts when activated. They are designed to deter attackers, attract attention, and summon quick help.
These tools are especially effective for women in vulnerable circumstances such as walking alone, working night shifts, or experiencing domestic abuse. Types include wearable alarms (keychains, pendants, wristbands), app-based panic buttons with GPS tracking, audio-recoridng panic alarms for domestic abuse victims, bluetooth-enabled devices with real-time location sharing. Allows for enhanced confidence/autonomy in women, and increased deterrence of assault/harrassment.
Basic personal alarm (standalone): £5-£30 per unit
Wearable panic button with GPS & monitoring: £50-£150 per unit
App-based panic button systems: £10,000-£50,000
Total programme cost: £5,000-£100,000 depending on scale, tech integration, and alarm type.
While research shows the above price, OPCC previously purchased Solon Security units with torch and alarm, which were £2.40 per alarm.
Procurement & planning: 1-2 months
Training & distribution: 1 month
System integration & testing: 2-3 months
Full rollout: 3-6 months
Device replacement & battery upkeep: £2,000-£10,000
Monitoring service (if applicable): £25-£50 per device/year
Software updates & support (app-based): £5,000-£15,000
Annual Maintenance Cost: £10,000-£30,000
Effectiveness
Panic alarm systems have been shown to reduce domestic abuse incidents, with alarm systems with audio systems also encouraging a 57% increase in criminal charges. While these solutions help evidence capture and drive arrest numbers, they aren't a statistically significant preventative measure on their own, and should be used in combination with other methods.