Mobilising tech-enabled safeguarding to tackle violence against women and girls

The Police Digital Service (PDS) was proud to showcase TecSAFE at the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection (NCVPP) Conference 2026.

Held just a few months after the Government launched its Freedom from Violence and Abuse strategy, the conference focused on mobilising technology and partnerships to deliver its three pillars of prevention, pursuit and support. It was a pivotal event for policing and safeguarding professionals who are committed to ending violence against women and girls within a decade.

Tony Eastaugh CBE, CEO at the Police Digital Service said: “Ending VAWG is everyone’s business. Our job is to make sure technology makes the national ambition real on the ground, ensuring faster, smarter and more compassionate policing response to the most vulnerable in our country.”

How TecSAFE supports victims and policing

TecSAFE is a Home Office-supported mobile safeguarding service now adopted by 39 forces. It provides victims with discreet, direct access to police, real-time location tracking and enhanced emergency protocols that help forces across the UK respond faster and more effectively. Available in 43 languages, TecSAFE supports diverse communities and aligns with the strategy’s commitment to inclusive safeguarding.

Since launch, TecSAFE has helped protect over 33,000 vulnerable individuals, with adoption continuing to grow. Forces report TecSAFE preventing serious injury and potentially homicide, with a recent case study in Dorset demonstrating swift response and life-saving impact.

Craig Downham, TecSAFE Manager at the Police Digital Service said: “The right technology, applied consistently, saves lives. TecSAFE is enhancing police emergency response and giving victims a lifeline that works across force boundaries. This is the kind of capability we need to tackle VAWG on a national scale.”

Strengthening TecSAFE and the digital safeguarding toolkit

Following the conference, PDS is taking forward concrete next steps to maximise impact and align with the strategy’s commitments:

• Broaden adoption across forces for consistent national coverage.

• Integrate further with control rooms to improve data and workflows.

• Expand onboarding and training for call-takers, dispatchers and frontline officers.

• Publish impact snapshots to ensure transparency and accountability.

Find out more
To learn more about TecSAFE, visit PDS website: https://pds.police.uk/welcome/pds-service-catalogue/frontline-digital-applications/tecsafe/