Frequently asked questions

If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact support@walksafe.io Our team is ready to help you and answer any of your questions.

Do you need help setting up WalkSafe+

Please contact support@walksafe.io Our team is ready to help you and answer any of your questions.

Why is the WalkSafe map so valuable as the police data is up to 60 days old?

When you plan safer routes, you want to know the crime hotspots to avoid. Our ex-police crime analysts have shown that repeated crime hotspots are predictive of future crime.

By looking at the updated police data each month on the WalkSafe map, you can build a picture of repeated crime locations and where crime is likely to happen again. Use this knowledge to understand crime hotspots to avoid and to plan safer routes.

What use is old data - it doesn’t tell you where the next safety incident will be?

The key recommendation from police and experts on safety is pre-planning journeys and Staying Alert.

Our ex-police crime analysts have shown that repeated crime hotspots are predictive of future crime. By looking at the updated police data each month on the WalkSafe map, you can build a picture of repeated crime locations and where crime is likely to happen again.

Use this knowledge to understand crime hotspots to avoid and to plan safer routes.

As you walk the app constantly scans the road ahead using police data and reports from the WalkSafe community. The notifications remind you to stay alert as you are approaching a danger spot where there has been recent incidents such as sexual assault, mugging or knife crime. The key to WalkSafe is – Stay alert, stay safer keep looking for the danger spots as you walk home. Sadly, Safety can’t be guaranteed. But by downloading the WalkSafe app you are taking control, investing in your

safety, and staying away from danger. Stay alert, stay safe, trust WalkSafe.

Why does the WalkSafe shared journey sometimes take a long route to the destination?

WalkSafe uses roads and is powered by Google maps and Apple Maps. Occasionally this can be a longer main road route and you may know a safe short cut. We do not use pedestrian routes as this can take you across fields and tow paths.

Remember your local knowledge is key. The route highlighted may not be the safest. Always try and use streets that are well lit and where there are other people. WalkSafe will follow the route you take so your trusted friends can see where you

are. If you don’t want to be tracked use HomeSafe. Both features automatically alert your friends if you don’t get to your destination on time.

What are the dates of the crimes posted on the WalkSafe map?

The map displays the most recent UK police crime data which is released monthly. The moment the police publish the figures we update the icons on our map. We only use the last month of data, which can be up to 60 days old.

Our map allows users to regularly see patterns of crime each month so you can identify the repeated trouble spots over time and plan safer routes.

We would be delighted to answer any more of your questions at support@walksafe.io

Is all the data on the map verified?

For knife crime, assaults, sexual assault and muggings we use ONLY police crime data which is published each month. This means the data is accurate and verified.

The WalkSafe community can only post icons: no streetlights, restricted access, rowdy groups and feels unsafe. These will show with a green ring around the icon.

Why is Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Scotland not reporting police data?

Sorry to all our Manchester, West Midlands and Scotland WalkSafe supporters, however, Greater Manchester and West Midlands Police are the only police forces out of 43 in England not reporting monthly street crime data.

As soon as they resume monthly crime reports we will download this onto the WalkSafe map. We are looking at potential sources of data for Scotland. The community icons do work in your areas and are increasing in number. All our other features are working – WalkSafe to share your journeys with trusted friends and HomeSafe which does not track but does let your trusted friends know if you fail to get home on time and may need help.

Why do the map icons change every 3 days?

That’s right. We can’t show all the police data at once as the map would be too cluttered to read. Instead, our algorithm cycles through the most recent month of police data, refreshing the map twice per week.

This makes the data easier to read. It also allows our users to build a detailed understanding of crime patterns in their local area and on their regular routes. Using this knowledge, users can plan safer routes that avoid trouble hotspots.

What if I report an icon on the map by mistake and want to remove it?

Deleting the report is very simple. Just click the icon and then in the dialogue box click the all good / bin and the icon is deleted in a few minutes.

Why are there so many crime icons?

Sadly there are 1.2 million violent crimes each year. The WalkSafe map has accurate and verified police data posted using the latest monthly police reports. So the map has around 31 days of crime data from the previous month. The value of the map is regularly looking for patterns of repeated crime hotspots in your local area. Use this knowledge to plan safer routes.

Our alerts help remind you to be aware of crime locations.

If everyone is posting how do I know the map data is correct?

For knife crime, assaults, sexual assault and muggings we use ONLY police crime data which is published each month. This means the data is accurate and verified.

The WalkSafe community can only post icons: no streetlights, restricted access, rowdy groups and feels unsafe. These will show with a green ring around the icon.

Please confirm you do not share my data and address?

We do not have your address on our system and we NEVER share data with anyone. You can view our privacy policy on the WalkSafe app and on our website.

Do you use Google maps in your app?

Yes the Android WalkSafe app uses the Google map system. We use Apple Maps for the iOS WalkSafe app.

My alert only seems to be active for the first icon for each journey I make

The WalkSafe app will ALERT you when you are within 200 meters of a police icon. When we tested the app users told us they did not want repeated alerts for every icon. This explains why you get a notification, it prompts you to look at your map to see all the other crime icons.

When is WalkSafe rolling out to other countries?

Currently WalkSafe is only available in the UK, but we are working hard to bring WalkSafe to other countries soon. Follow our Instagram and Twitter feeds to keep up to date.

Are there any videos explaining how WalkSafe works?

Yes, see our Instagram page for all the features and how to use them.

I am a young single worker in the city, is WalkSafe useful for me?"

Even tried and trusted routes home have danger spots. Check out your routes to work and bars. Walksafe refreshes every week with new data so you can see where the danger zones keep appearing. It alerts you if you walk into these zones. For an added layer of security, we have three features to help alerts friends and protectors.

I am a student in a new city, which features of WalkSafe should I use?"

As soon as you download the WalkSafe app, it constantly scans the road ahead of you to warn you of danger spots. WalkSafe helps you plan a safer route to your destination. Check your route home on the WalkSafe app to see the knife crime, mugging and sexual assault hot spots.

What use is old data is doesn’t tell you where the next safety incident will be?

The key recommendation from police and experts is Staying Alert.

WalkSafe renews data every week. It helps remind you even on your trusted route home there are danger spots. The WalkSafe map shows patterns where incidents happen regularly and this helps you plan safer routes. As you walk, the app constantly scans the road ahead using police data and reports from the WalkSafe community.

The notifications remind you to stay alert as you are approaching a danger spot where there has been recent incidents such as sexual assault, mugging or knife crime. The key to WalkSafe is – stay alert, stay safer keep looking for the danger spots as you walk home.

Sadly, safety can’t be guaranteed. But by downloading the WalkSafe app you are taking control, investing in your safety and staying away from danger. Stay alert, stay safe, trust WalkSafe.

My parents always worry when I am out late at night with friends - will WalkSafe reassure them?

WalkSafe has features like TapSafe and HomeSafe which you can activate to help your parents feel reassured. The features are designed to be ready and waiting so that if your ok, then they will be gently notified. If something were to happen, they are provided with key information to help you.

What if my phone battery is really low?

If you phone battery is 20% or lower. ‘Protectors’ are automatically notified so that they know of the low battery and can get in touch sooner.

As a teenager why should I use HomeSafe?

HomeSafe is designed for teenagers. Parents worry when you are out and insist on you being home on time or early. HomeSafe helps you agree a later time to get home on nights out. It reassures your parents so they don’t have to wait up until you get back. HomeSafe gives you more freedom but automatically alerts protectors if you need help.

How does WalkSafe help me negotiate a later curfew at the weekend?

With the HomeSafe feature, you can assure parents that they will be notified if something were to happen and they need to help you. Otherwise parents can rest easy knowing HomeSafe is ready and waiting when required.

I am a parent worried if my teenagers get home late at night - will WalkSafe help?

Yes, the HomeSafe feature is designed for this. Teenagers can send you a HomeSafe for the time they expect to get home. If they arrive early, you will receive a silent notification, if not you will get an alarm alert that they have not arrived.

Why is WalkSafe+ so different and better than sending messages?

Messaging is just when people are OK and remember to text rather than an automatic alert that there might be a problem. This way if you forget or something were to happen, WalkSafe+ will be ready to alert and automatically sends messages to your chosen trusted friends that you need their help. WalkSafe+ constantly scans the road ahead of you to warn you of danger spots

Will HomeSafe automatically send me a message tell me my partner has arrived on time?

Yes, HomeSafe will let you know whether they have reached their required destination and on time. If not, you will be notified to help where required.

How accurate is WalkSafe with chosen location points?

WalkSafe is integrated with maps and uses its location services. Accuracy will depending on your signal strength, and how precise you are with your location points.