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Crowd safety app launches allowing public to report suspicious behaviour

A new app to keep people safe in crowded places has been launched following the Improving Crowd Resilience competition from the Home Office.

The competition was launched in July 2017 and forms part of the government’s efforts to do more with the private sector to encourage them to help tackle the security challenges facing the UK. It also sought to fund innovative projects which would train the public to spot security threats and allow them to report those threats.

The app, called The Krowd, was created by Devon-based developers KrowdThink. It allows people in crowded places to speak directly with on-site security teams, allowing visitors to report suspicious activity in real-time using their phones.

Images are then sent instantly from the crowd and can assist the security team to assess a threat.

In the first example of an ICR funded project reaching market, the Krowd App will be used at Broadgate Quarter in central London.

Geoff Revill, KrowdThink Managing Director said: "I am delighted that The Krowd App is going to be rolled out commercially. Our dedication to producing a truly interactive and effective crowd safety tool has paid off.

"The funding and support from the Defence and Security Accelerator and the Home Office has given us expert insight, significantly accelerating our ability to move forward commercially.

"We have created a unique product that we are confident will make crowded places and events fundamentally safer."

Using the app’s venue mapping feature, security staff can locate the perceived threat and rapidly direct staff to the situation. The app can also allow security staff to message the people at a venue directly, guiding them to safety.

The app will be available for the public to use in the coming weeks.

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