AlertBox, going on sale in the UK this week (£147), allows neighbours to warn each other about “dodgy characters” on their street and to transmit requests for help in the event of fire or medical emergency.

AlertBox sends short text messages. Once yours has been activated, all of the AlertBoxes within 100 meters are automatically activated. By pressing just one button, a message can be sent to all of the neighbours.

The company is even working on a multiple-language capability, so a message sent in one language can be read in another.

Via Technovelgy.