NEWS The father of Lucie Blackman – the British woman murdered while working as a hostess in Japan – has launched a text service that he is hoping will improve the safety of travellers and young people.
The service, called Safetytext, will allow users to send a message to a nominated recipient with all the details of where they're going, with whom and when they expect to be back.
The text is delayed for between 30 minutes and 24 hours, according to what the user wants, and if the text isn't cancelled, the details are delivered to the recipient – giving them and the authorities a head start in tracking down the missing person.
The service will also mean users can keep a record of their details and a photograph with the service, with the information passed on to the police if an individual goes missing.
Lucie Blackman's father Tim was inspired to create the service during the search for his daughter, who went missing over three years ago in Tokyo.
To register for the service, go to www.safetytext.com.
Comments
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1. anonymous
The objective is to "improve the safety of travellers and young people". OK. But won't this just make it easier to find my killer rather than prevent me getting killed? Or am I missing soemthing? Don't you like the Doomsday device in Doctor Strangelove have to tell someone what you have done this for it to have the desired effect?
2. Jon
With the increasing use of camera phones, this would be good if you could send a picture to a secure bank.
Who knows, a stalker/mugger/rapist/murderer might think twice if you had just posted his picture to a secure storage system.
3. anonymous
Surely the aim of this service is to ensure an early warning of someone in trouble? If you are traveling it would alert family or friends within an hour or two to a potential problem and if they can't contact you via phone the alarm is raised. If immediate murder is the aim then no it wouldn't save a life. That's rarely the case though. Rape, hostage situation and numerous other situations can apply. It could still save your life.
4. James McCambridge
I am very sorry that something like this
so gruesome has happend to a girl like
Lucy.
its sad she will never fullfill her dreams and her parents wont see her married with grand children.
i on;y hope this man obara geta a few life sentences for his crimes