One of a range of devices provided by G4S to protect lone and vulnerable workers such as social workers and security officers, the award-winning Identicom system developed by Connexion2 was used successfully in February this year in response to an armed attack.
When threatened at gunpoint by the perpetrator, two individuals working in the care and justice industry were able to use the Identicom i777 device to discreetly raise a Red Alert – the first recorded through the service. This opened a secure audio connection to G4S’ Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) in Belfast.
Trained professionals on duty at G4S’ Thatcham 5-accredited, Category 2 NSI Gold Standard ARC were able to verify the attack and then contact the police, who arrived on scene shortly after to arrest the assailant.
The audio evidence recorded was later used in Court to verify what happened during the attack, thereby ensuring a successful criminal conviction.
The assailant – Danny Pearce – was found guilty at Sheffield Crown Court on 8 July and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment after having entered a guilty plea.
Prosecution of a dangerous criminal
Richard Fenton-Jones, the managing director at G4S Monitoring and Response, spoke to SMT Online about the incident. He commented: “There are an enormous number of people whose job requires them to work alone in potentially vulnerable situations, and technology like this can help to ensure their safety. The Corporate Manslaughter Act now obliges businesses to make sure they take adequate measures to protect their employees while they are at work, and hopefully more and more companies will be taking action to secure those employees that are at risk.”
Fenton-Jones added: “Thankfully, in this instance the victim had the technology to alert our monitoring team without causing suspicion. Our operatives could verify the attack was genuine, and we have the accreditation to ensure a police response. We’re delighted that the incident was resolved safely, and very proud of the way in which this case was handled. We not only secured the safety of those involved, but also assisted in the prosecution of a dangerous criminal.”
The Identicom i777’s discreet ID card form enables workers to raise an alert without increasing risk. Its in-built GPS technology can assist in locating the worker in trouble. When used in conjunction with G4S’ ARC, the system is police-approved by way of ACPO Secured By Design status.
