G4S lone worker protection service helps secure the conviction of an armed attacker

(30/09/2009)

G4S Monitoring and Response’s lone worker protection service has helped secure the first conviction of an armed attacker, thanks to evidence from the Identicom device and the rapid response of its Monitoring team. The device, one of a range offered by G4S to protect lone and vulnerable workers such as social workers or gas meter readers, was used successfully earlier 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’s Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) in Belfast. Trained professionals at G4S’s Thatcham 5 accredited, Category 2 NSI Gold Standard ARC were able to verify the attack, contacting the police who arrived shortly after to arrest the assailant.

The audio evidence recorded was later used in court to verify the attack, successfully ensuring a criminal conviction. After a police investigation the assailant was found guilty at Sheffield Crown Court on 8 July. Danny Pearce was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after having entered a guilty plea, following the presentation of evidence used to verify the attack, obtained from G4S’s records.

Richard Fenton-Jones, Managing Director, G4S Monitoring and Response, said: “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 employees that are at risk.

“Thankfully, in this instance the victim had the technology to alert our team without causing suspicion; our monitoring team could verify the attack was genuine, and we have the accreditation to ensure a police response. We are delighted that the incident was resolved safely, and are very proud that the way this case was handled not only secured the safety of those involved but also lead to 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 and the device’s ability to capture credible audio evidence to assist with prosecutions is second to none. When used in conjunction with G4S’s ARC the system is Police approved, ACPO ‘Secured By Design’.”

Related topics:  Lone worker protection   Monitoring systems   Security guarding 

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