Project Summary

This solution is a modular, AI-enabled safety and alert system designed to enhance and improve personal security around rail stations, walkways, and car parks, especially for women and vulnerable users. Violent incidents on UK railways increased by more than half from 2021 to 2023, reaching 11,357 cases, according to the British Transport Police. Sexual offences rose by about 10%, and reports of sexual harassment doubled from around 950 to 1,908. Starlight integrates smart-behaviour detection, real-time SOS alerts, and solar-powered modules into compact hardware that can be retrofitted to existing poles or building walls. Unlike CCTV or safety apps, Starlight actively detects incidents such as harassment, loitering, or medical emergencies and triggers alerts using audio or visual cues, routing them to authorities in under 10 seconds. This project will assess Starlight’s AI accuracy, response speed and sensor reliability while gathering feedback from women, young people and passengers with disabilities. Our results will inform national scaling plans and support the UK Government’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Project Summary strategy.