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Bluetooth Success

A NEW crime prevention tool that was launched in Peterborough has enjoyed early success.

The Bluetooth technology allows police to send messages to hundreds of people's mobile phones..

On the first weekend (starting on Friday May 2), messages were sent to revellers in Liquid nightclub, HG's pub, Edwards, and The Park Café.

Results have now revealed that a total of 612 messages were sent and accepted - 360 in Liquid, 84 in HGs, 104 in Edwards, and 64 in The Park. Only 99 texts were refused.

One of the messages read, "Don't advertise your phone to thieves: keep it safe, keep it hidden. Register it at www.immobilise.com".

Katy Harris, from the community safety unit at Bridge Street Police Station, said: "Considering it was the first weekend, I am very pleased with the results and I know managers at the venues are very keen to continue hosting the boxes.

"As more people become aware of the devices the number of messages being accepted will rise and we will reach more people. Managers at the venues also suggested information that could be included in future messages, such as how to get home, which we will consider implementing."

The community safety unit has five boxes which can send quick-fire messages free of charge to phones within a 100-metre radius.

People with phones which have a Bluetooth capability enabled will receive a note asking them if they want to receive a message from Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

The message, which can be refused, is for information only and does not require a response.

The Bluetooth boxes, which are made by Astrocomm, are portable and lightweight and can send messages to seven mobile phones every 40 seconds. No mobile will ever be sent the same message twice.

Cambridgeshire Police use Bluetooth to welcome visiting fans to Peterborough

With the ‘Posh’ playing a number of Premiership friendlies in the summer months, Cambridgeshire Police created a number of customised safety messages to welcome visiting fans. The messages were deployed to a number of units positioned around the ground to ensure as wide as coverage as possible.

Cambridgeshire Police
Press release
Subject: NEW CRIME PREVENTION TOOL

POLICE in Peterborough have begun using new technology which allows them to send messages to hundreds of people's mobile phones.

The community safety unit at Bridge Street Police Station has taken delivery of five Bluetooth boxes which can send quick-fire messages to phones within a 100-metre radius.People with phones which have a Bluetooth capability enabled will receive a note asking them if they want to receive a message from Cambridgeshire Constabulary. If they accept the offer they will be sent the message, which will be purely for information and will not require a response. The devices, which have been funded by the Peterborough Community Safety partnership .

They will mostly be used to send crime prevention and safety messages to young people on weekend nights out and will be used for the first time in the city centre this weekend in nightspots including Edwards, The Park, HG's, Liquid nightclub and Chicago Rock Cafe.

One of the messages will read, "Don't advertise your phone to thieves: keep it safe, keep it hidden. Register it at www.immobilise.com".

The devices could also be used to appeal for witnesses to serious crimes and they have been used by police investigating the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones in Liverpool.

Chief Inspector Jon Betts said: "These devices will be an extremely effective way of getting important messages out to as many people as possible and they will be particularly aimed at young people. "The messages will vary and their subject often depend on what issue the community safety unit is concentrating on at the time. The technology gives us the capability of sending messages to thousands of people in one night but we will be careful not to overuse it.
"I can also assure members of the public that the messages are one-way and can be rejected, although we would urge people to accept them."

David Hankins, community safety manager at the city council, said: "This is an exciting new initiative for the community safety partnership, supported by the city council and police.

"Using Bluetooth technology, safety messages can be instantly sent to mobile phones in the city, keeping people up to date with advice and information."

Geraldine Young, manager of Liquid and Chicago Rock, said: "We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Peterborough Evening Partnership in helping to make Peterborough a safe place for a great night out. We believe this initiative is a really innovative way to communicate to people going out in the city."

Del Singh, from The Park, who is also chairman of Peterborough CentreSafe,said: "As most people who go out in the city centre have a mobile phone, this is a brilliant way of passing on safety information and advice quickly and conveniently. Although many messages will be sent out at a time, there is something very personal about a message when it is delivered to your
phone or number."

The Bluetooth boxes, which are made by Astracomm, are portable and lightweight and can send messages to twenty one mobile phones every 40 seconds.
No mobile will ever be sent the same message twice and the technology will only be used to send messages.

Messages could be sent on issues including getting home safely, drink spiking or general personal safety and crime prevention messages. The boxes could also be used at football matches or events such as the Peterborough Beer Festival.

View our Police Presentation

Kent Police deploy Astracast Systems

A mobile system was provided to the Kent Police in Margate to combat ant-social behaviour and to use in pubs & clubs and during the night time economy.

View our Police Presentation

Combined Emergency Planning Services of Cornwall

At a forum held at the Eden Project the Combined Emergency Planning Services of Cornwall were given a thorough briefing as to the capabilities of the Astracast system and its potential uses in a civil emergency situation.

View our Police Presentation

Police in drink drive crack down

12:26pm Wednesday 3rd December 2008
DRINK drivers are to be targeted in an innovative campaign by police in Cumbria this Christmas.
Cumbria Constabulary will be cracking down on young drivers who get behind the wheel while intoxicated by drink or drugs.

The five-week campaign, which started on Monday (December 1), primarily targeted at 17 to 29-year-olds, will include the use of bluetooth technology to get the message across to motorists.

As well as increased roadside checks, police officers, on behalf of the Safer Roads for Cumbria Partnership, will be using a bluetooth (used to transfer digital information between mobile telephones) device to send anti-drink driving messages to large numbers of mobiles within range of town centre nightspots.

This is the first time this technique has been used and police hope the message will get through to young drivers.

View our Police Presentation

Road safety messages broadcast straight to mobiles

Last updated 11:25, Monday, 03 November 2008
A NEW tool has been unveiled in the fight to drive down the number of people killed on the county’s roads.

A new hi-tech gadget will carry the road safety messages to hundreds of mobile phone users in a bid to raise awareness and reduce accidents.

Safer Roads for Cumbria unveiled the new Bluetooth powered device, which will beam safety messages to phones that have the Bluetooth facility activated in the Carlisle city centre area.

This project is being launched as part of a national seat belt campaign which starts today.
Kevin Tea, communications manager for Safer Roads for Cumbria, said: “The device transmits a message to all Bluetooth enabled phones within a set distance and asks them if they want to receive a message from Safer Roads for Cumbria.

“If they accept a small animated graphic is transmitted to the device which they can watch, save and transmit later as a MMS message to friends.”
He added: “The device is ideal for targeting specific audiences such as young drivers as the internet and mobile phone are accepted as the best ways of getting a message through to them.”

It is hoped the device will help with other campaigns in the future, and Mr Tea said: “We could run a Christmas drink drive promotion within a club whereby if they accept the message and show it to bar staff they qualify for a free non-alcoholic drink.”

Although the device is currently being used to transmit road safety messages, other agencies have already shown an interest in using it including the fire and rescue service for a smoke alarm campaign and the police.

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