Campaigns to encourage the carrying of personal attack alarms have had only limited success, but the ubiquity of mobile telephones and text messaging suggests a way forward.

Mobile telephones could incorporate a highly audible personal alarm, activated by a particular code. More valuably still, a pre-programmed text message could be sent simultaneously directly to police control rooms by those believing themselves to be in mortal danger, and the telephone network would enable the general vicinity of the victim to be identified.

This would require stringent penalties for improper use, and there might be difficulty in identifying the culprits in such abuse, but ways must be found to give greater protection to vulnerable people in what appear to be increasingly lawless night-time streets.

Yours sincerely,
JOHN BALE
(Councillor, Leeds City Council,
Guiseley & Rawdon Ward),
14 Balmoral Way,
Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7WF.
john.bale@leeds.gov.uk
January 10.

Explore Letters

• Feedback