Alert Box

What is AlertBox?

AlertBox is a wireless messaging device that connects people in business or residential premises. It can broadcast warning or emergency messages to nearby units at the press of a button and has been described as ‘the electronic version of Neighbourhood Watch’.

The units are robust, simple to use and require no configuration by the user. Installation consists only of plugging the unit into the mains.

Each AlertBox is programmed with the user’s name, address and telephone number and keeps a log of all events: if a warning is sent, an exact and reliable record of the event- including the date and time- is kept. The boxes are accountable, with the ability to upload logs to a personal computer to assist in identifying trends in crime activity. This can help PCSOs allocate their resources effectively.

• A broadcast warning message raises vigilance and awareness before a possible incident takes place. Typical examples include bogus callers, counterfeit money, suspected theft or antisocial behavior.

 

• In an emergency, a broadcast message brings assistance from neighbours within seconds, and generates extra witness potential fro the emergency services if necessary. Typical examples include attempted break-ins, fire or medical problems.

The value of AlertBox networks can be increased by using them in conjunction with a related service called Alert Partner.

What is Alert Partner?

Alert Partner is a web based tool for establishing and managing AlertBox networks.

As well as administering an AlertBox network, Alert Partner provides a 2-way messaging system between the police, local authorities, and local community groups using SMS (mobile phone text message), or email.

The tool can be configured to match the needs of each AlertBox network, and allows different levels of administrator access.

Members of the public can apply through community web sites to be registered on Alert Partner. Applicants can then be approved by a designated moderator.

It is also compatible with some geographic information systems, enabling administrators to produce detailed reports of activities in their areas.

 

The Crime Reduction Partnership

The Business Partnership was formed following the success of an initial AlertBox project. The partnership consists of the police, the local authority and the Town Centre Management Group.

Increasing community engagement

With the introduction of AlertBox, members of the community gain a new channel of communication. Better communication leads to stronger relationships between neighbours, particularly in a community where there is a transient population and a high proportion of people for whom English is a second language.

AlertBox users are issued with windows stickers which provide a catalyst for as-hoc meetings between Community Wardens or PCSOs and members of the AlertBox community, as well as providing a deterrent to would-be troublemakers and reassurance to the wider community. Help is only seconds away.

The Business Partnership is considering the use of road signage to denote areas where the system is in use.

Further effects of deploying an AlertBox network are listed below.

1. Promotes an ethos of self-help amongst individuals within the community
2. Provides an early warning system, preventing crime by alerting people before an incident takes place
3. Promotes engagement and cooperation with the authorities
4. Educates people on best practice towards personal safety
5. Generates witness potential

 

Empowering people to help themselves

The extra communication AlertBox provides means community members can respond to crime positively. Becoming a member of AlertBox community empowers them to become an active part of the crime prevention process, instead of feeling disconnected from it.

Sustainability

When people feel closer to their neighbours and are able to communicate with them, a long term sense of community is built. If a person moves out of the area, it is easily to reprogram a unit with the new details. There are no ongoing costs associated with running an AlertBox unit and information gathered from the network can be used to help form local strategies.

There is a displacement effect, with criminals avoiding those areas where a project is running.

 

Results

The Business Partnership has spearheaded best-practice principles which are now being adopted throughout the borough.

Community benefits

The primary function of the concept is to reduce crime and the fear of crime by giving traders the ability to send warning messages. This creates an environment in which crime is difficult to commit. The emergency function sends an immediate call for help to neighbours who are only seconds away.

In a presentation to the Safer Partnership Crime Seminar (February,2006) Borough Commander Ian Thomas said that AlertBox networks had reduced incidents of shoplifting and theft in two areas over a six month period by 34% and 24% respectively.

The deterrent value has been increased by using shop windows stickers. These advertised the presence of security devices on the premises and raised awareness of the network.

The well published fact that help is only seconds away reduces both crime and the fear of crime. Given the ability to send warning or emergency messages, people feel secure where they may previously have felt isolated and vulnerable.

Because the scheme is highly visible, it reassures the law-abiding public that its community is being made safer.

Promotes Community Awareness

Installing Alert Boxes in commercial premises around town has increased co-operation between the traders and law-enforcement agencies.

The scheme promotes a sense of belonging and discourages division, or a ‘them and us’ situation; members of the public are more than likely to support the work of the police and PCSOs.

Improves witness power

Members of an AlertBox community provide better quality information to the police. This contributes to improved detection rates and more effective allocation of police resources.

Logs from Alert Boxes can be downloaded to a computer running Alert Partner to generate accurate reports which help to answer the questions, ‘Who? What? and When? In relation to an incident. The system allows detailed incident profiling.

There is also greater witness information. The project has proved that emergency messages produce a very good response from neighbours and fellow traders, with assistance and as witnesses.

Improves visibility and perception

An AlertBox community has high visibility, improving the perception of the area as a safe place to live.

The recognition effect is twofold: law abiding people feel safe, and criminals know that the area is not a soft target.

Assists regeneration

Lower crime levels, good perception and high levels of community engagement make it more realistic to promote a town as a thriving and safe economy.

The effect of positive of positive messages, instead of negative press, is to:

1. Create a town centre that attracts more visitors, shoppers and tourists
2. Attract private investment into businesses and house building
3. Stimulate the local economy

 

Engages the community; promotes cohesion

By providing the community with a self-help tool, AlertBox empowers people to become part of the crime prevention process. Before, they were likely to have adopted a more passive attitude to crime, over-reliant on the police and local authority ‘spoon feeding’ measures.

The sense of community leads to better interaction with the police, PCSOs and other crime reduction bodies. Improved communication with the police can have many potential benefits, ranging from better information to better community relations and improved recruitment possibilities.

Because an AlertBox community does not rely on any single initiative, project or person, there is more chance of a sustained community improvement. The involvement of several bodies, down to community level, brings a strong momentum and continuity to the project.

In the short term, them technology is simple to deploy and provides a good response to immediate pressures. It is a good answer to the common question, ‘What is being done?’

In the longer term it helps to generate a new mindset, where people realize they can (and should) help to prevent crime by being vigilant, supportive and proactive in their communities. The new mindset contributes to the sustainability of safer neighbourhoods.

Home use
AlertBox enables you to communicate with your neighbours in times of need.
Whether it's a case of antisocial behaviour, crime, or merely suspicious activity, use AlertBox to harness the power of your community.
In an emergency AlertBox can call for help. The action of others may save valuable minutes before emergency services arrive. In an emergency always call 999 first. AlertBox is not a direct link to the emergency services.
The benefits of belonging to an AlertBox network are:

In times of stress AlertBox is easy to operate - simply push a button.
Harness the power of your community in times of need.
Police can use their resources more effectively if many neighbouring
   witnesses observe record and report incidents.

In times of stress AlertBox is easy to operate - simply push a button.
Harness the power of your community in times of need.
Police can use their resources more effectively if many neighbouring
   witnesses observe, record and report incidents.