Milton Keynes Council Bids to Improve the Safety of Lone Workers

7.19.51pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 28th Oct 2004

Lone workers at risk of attack will be able to breathe more easily thanks to an ingenious new security system.

The Milton Keynes Community Alarm Centre will soon introduce the Lone Worker Package. This will protect workers who go out on their own at night as part of their job.

The system is straightforward. The lone worker simply informs the Alarm Centre where they are going to be and when they are due to be back. If they fail to make contact by the agreed time, an automated call will be made to their mobile phone, to check they are OK. If that fails to get a response, the computer raises an alarm, a member of the Alarm Centre's staff takes over and, if necessary, contacts the emergency services.

People who could benefit from the system include members of the caring professions, such as social workers and healthcare staff, who often visit people's homes alone at night, and security staff warehouses and offices.

"From a health and safety point of view, workers need to be protected when doing their jobs," said Irene Henderson, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Social Care. "It's often too expensive to allocate two members of staff to one job, so this system provides a valuable back-up and peace of mind for both the worker and the employer."

The Lone Worker Package will initially only be available to certain departments within the Council, but local businesses will also be able to connect their workers to the system by the New Year.