A Grootfontein-based young entrepreneur has developed a cellphone application aimed at combating crime.

It is the brainchild of Leonard Muronga, who said the development of the application was prompted by growing concerns about crime, slow responses, and real-time coordination between authorities and the community.

The real-time digital application is equipped with a panic button that enables victims of crimes to send immediate alerts to police stations, nearby security companies, and even neighbourhood watch teams for quick action.

Muronga hopes the free application will be fully rolled out countrywide to enhance security for all as the world moves into a digital era.

Grootfontein Mayor Talitha Garises welcomed the innovation.

"This app has the potential to significantly improve the safety and security of our town and, by extension, the lives of everyone who lives and works here in Grootfontein. In our ongoing efforts to combat crime, there has always been a need for better communication between our police stations, security companies, and the citizens they serve. This app is the bridge that connects us all."

Garises called on security clusters to embrace this development, as it cuts down on deploying human resources to attend to a crime incident. 

The application will officially be launched at the end of this month.