PANIC alarm software for mobile phones was launched today in a bid to enable emergency services to locate victims more quickly.

The alarm is connected to mobiles with a GPS chip - such as a PDA or BlackBerry device - to send the exact location of a person in trouble.

The technology, developed by VeriLocation, is activated if a victim holds down a key on the device for three seconds.

An alert signal is automatically sent to a control centre, manned 24 hours a day.

Andrew Overton, from VeriLocation, said: "Once the alarm has been raised the control centre will continue to track the location of the device and pass that information to police.

"It is a stunning improvement in personal safety and one that is highly recommended for lone workers in the UK, especially those working in remote locations or in vulnerable situations."

The personal tracking software can also be used by businesses to track the location of a device at any time.

Monthly subscriptions are available from £20 a month.