Halo offers help in fight against drink spiking
A pioneering new system is offering vital help to victims of drink-spiking and attacks by injection in clubs and bars – all with the tap of a mobile phone.
UK-based Fintech company Sticky says its unique Halo system of branded stickers allows victims to anonymously summon help in 30 seconds or less if they suspect they have been attacked.
All the victim has to do is tap the Halo sticker with their smartphone and it automatically sends an emergency distress call to a specially-trained member of staff in the club or bar who then responds immediately.
James Garner, Sticky CEO, said Halo offered a unique solution for bars and clubs to a growing problem across the UK.
“The Halo sticker works with just one tap of a phone,” James said. “If someone is in distress they simply tap the sticker and it sends a Halo alert to the designated person in the venue who responds.
“It means help can be on hand within seconds and is a clear sign that venues are taking the issue seriously.
“Latest figures from police show that there were nearly 200 confirmed cases of drink spiking in September and October alone, with 24 reports of people being spiked through an injection.”
Sticky co-founder Priscilla Israel added: “The Halo sticker gives venues affordable, real protection and helps stamp out this appalling problem. For victims, it is a quick, discrete way of raising the alarm at a time when they are most vulnerable.
“It doesn’t require anybody to download an app, store a mobile number on their phone or go searching through their contacts. You simply tap your phone on the Halo sticker and it calls for help automatically, directing the responder to exactly where you are in the venue.”
Priscilla said clubs could subscribe to Halo for as little as £19/month and they could be set up so they called different people depending on where in the club or bar the victim was.
“If you are in one part of the club Halo calls one person to summon help, but it can be set up to call another if you are in a different part of the venue. The automated message can also pinpoint your location in the venue so help can get to you as quickly as possible.”
“It is the first time anything like this has been made and it’s playing an important part in helping give clubgoers – both men and women – added confidence that they are safe when they are out enjoying themselves.”
Sticky is a fast-growing fintech challenger using contactless technology and branded stickers to provide solutions to a range of problems, from ordering food in seconds to helping increase donations to charities and improving education in some of the world’s poorest countries.