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The high street retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) is introducing WalkSafe Pro, a personal safety app, for staff when on the move. Drawing on data from police, local government and others, besides precautionary insights from other app users, a user can share their live journey with trusted contacts, while SOS alerts connect to the security and FMย contractor Mitieโs 24/7 control centre, enabling real-time monitoring, assessment and a response where required. As reported in Mitie’s 2025 annual report, the contractor already provides security services for M&S.
The app can also be used outside of work. M&S stores will be marked as designated โsafe spacesโ within the app, supported by training of staff. This means users will be able to identify nearby stores as a place to step inside, if they feel unsafe during a journey.ย Thinus Keeve, M&S Retail Director said: “Our colleaguesโ need for safety doesnโt stop when a shift ends โ and our colleagues have told us that travelling to and from work can be when they feel most vulnerable. WalkSafe is a simple but powerful way weโre responding. Itโs another way weโre continuing to invest in security โ helping our people stay connected and supported wherever they are. And as our stores will become WalkSafe Safe Spaces, weโre to extend our role into the communities we serve, helping to create safer environments for everyone.”
And Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services at Mitie said: โEveryone deserves to feel safe, whether theyโre at work, travelling home or out in their own time. Our partnership with M&S is a fantastic example of how we can work together to better support colleagues in those moments where they feel most vulnerable. ย โThis is an important step towards building safer communities, helping people feel more confident wherever they are. By combining WalkSafeโs technology with Mitieโs frontline expertise, 24/7 monitoring and response capability, weโre able to provide practical, real-time support when itโs needed most.โ
Emma Kay is the founder of WalkSafe. She added: โWalkSafe was created to address a simple but important problem: too many people donโt feel safe when travelling alone, particularly after dark. Built from lived experience, it brings together real-time information and practical tools to help people better understand their surroundings and take control of their personal safety. Through partnerships like this one with M&S, weโre extending that support further, helping organisations play a more active role in giving colleagues and local communities greater confidence, reassurance and access to help when they need it.โ
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For more, visit the Mitie website.
Photo by Mark Rowe: Nottingham.
