WORK has begun to turn the old phone box on Rubery high street into the UK’s first ‘Digital safety pod’.
The phone box, outside the Post Office on New Road will be turned into a safe space for the public, where people can take refuge, access life-saving equipment and contact police in an emergency.
It is hoped the ‘Digital safety pod’ will be used as a place of safety for victims of domestic violence, those suffering with poor mental health or other victims of crime.
The current works will see the phone box receive a new painted look with the installation of a blood control kit for use in emergencies.
The renovations, funded by donations from Bromsgrove District Council and the public, hope to be completed by the of summer with the installation of CCTV, an automatic and manually locking door, a monitor, an alarm, reinforced windows, power and lighting and direct 999 call access.
The project has been launched by Farrah McNutt, who owns Catch a Thief UK, a business which helps retailers prevent shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, vandalism and other issues.
Farrah said: “I can’t wait for the project to be finished. It’s good for the community and everyone’s been very supportive.
“We want to set up digital safety pods in as many locations as we can to further support communities.
“It’s awful that we need these things, everyone should be living in harmony but we are proud to be providing a safe place for people.
“There is still a lot of work to be done and we are asking anyone who is willing to lend a strong hand to get in touch.”
Farrah added that the project needs the support of somebody who can work with cast iron, to help with the removal of screws which are halting the installation of a new door.
The fundraising project has successfully raised around £5,000 with a further £10,000 needed for completion. The phone box has been donated by Devendra Kuma, who owns the nearby Post Office.
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Click here to donate to further developments of digital safety pods.
