A new system has been launched to help staff who have to deal with verbal abuse, harassment and anti-social behaviour in the workplace.

Employees using Staffsafe wear a covert alert, which can be triggered whenever needed.

This is monitored by hardware, which is located on the premises and at a flexible 24-hour monitoring centre.

Audio links allow the monitoring centre to listen covertly to an incident while relaying information to the emergency services, or to interact in real time and at great volume to "encourage" the offenders to leave. The system can be used as an audio-verifed intruder alarm.

Developed by Dumfries-based company Positive Response Communications, Staffsafe is used in thousands of high street stores across the UK. According to the company, it has been found to be particularly useful in places where anti-social behaviour can be a problem, such as petrol stations, as well as lone worker situations.

The standard package costs about £700.

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