IDENTICOM IN FRONT LINE BATTLE AGAINST ATTACKS ON SCOTTISH COUNCIL WORKERS
A growing number of Councils are buying Connexion2’s Identicom as part of measures being implemented to safeguard council workers from verbal and physical abuse.Marketed in Scotland by Argyll Telecom as IdentiCare, the technologically advanced system for lone worker safety monitoring enables council employees to unobtrusively raise the alarm when threatened.
A recent investigation carried out by the ‘Sunday Herald’ revealed that many Scottish council workers are being physically and verbally abused.
The newspaper reported that in some of the worst cases, social workers and housing offices have been hospitalised after being stabbed or beaten when visiting residents’ homes. There has also been an escalation of abuse in other council departments including criminal justice, finance, planning, environmental health, trading standards, administration and roads.
Until recently, the focus has been on the soaring number of attacks on 999 crews or hospital A&E workers.In 2005, Dr. John Reid, then Secretary of State for Health, announced that it was including Identicom as part of the NHS arsenal against attacks on NHS staff.The success of the Identicom system in helping combat abuse within the NHS has helped trigger the interest from the Councils.
Developed over a two-year period, Identicom uses the same technology as a mobile phone.Looking like a normal ID holder, but equipped with a tri-band GSM module, Identicom not only enables a lone worker to discreetly raise an alarm if threatened, but also allows a third party to listen to what is happening and record evidence of abusive behaviour whatever the distance.
Measuring 102x72x14mm and weighing just 68 grams, Identicom‘s innovative technology is all contained unobtrusively within the unit.The device includes a lanyard attachment that enables it to be worn around the neck as a standard ID and hides a ‘rip alarm’ function, which is triggered if the unit is forcibly removed from the wearer.Identicom is flexible enough to be configured in a number of ways, thereby allowing an employer to adopt the device without the need to significantly change or alter current working practices.
Argyll Telecom offer customers a total solutions package which includes the IdentiCare™ unit, 24/7 operator response centre, training plus ongoing support. IdentiCare™ is configured in conjunction with the clients mobile provider.
The device is used to support accurate pinpointing of a worker’s location using a combination of time at risk management, voice recording and enhanced Cell location technologies.
Commenting, Tom Morton, Managing Director of Argyll Telecom said:“It is evident that nearly every Council in Scotland is experiencing verbal and physical abuse against its staff.More and more Councils are turning to IdentiCare™ as a viable solution. The relatively low cost of deployment assists them to meet their obligations under Duty of Care and enables the Council to record incidents of verbal abuse in support of their colleagues and providing options for future prosecutions. Fundamentally IdentiCare allows staff to discreetly and safely summons help.” Ends
