GLOUCESTERSHIRE has been chosen as the first county in the UK to launch a secure online 'In Case of Emergency' database.

Available to everyone, Icebook can be used to create an emergency contact profile for individuals, householders and businesses, which are then made available for emergency services to access via their control rooms in the event of an emergency.

Icebook launched on Monday, January 5, with the first phase of its UK rollout.

Gloucestershire Constabulary have communicated the changes to existing key holders within the county. The police will no longer be providing a key holder service. All key holder data will be deleted at the end of January.

In addition to key holders, the wider public have very limited ways to ensure the police have access to potentially lifesaving ICE details. With Icebook the public choose what information they would like to share and once submitted can immediately be accessed if required by staff within the Police control room. Basic access to the system which provides identification and next of kin details is completely free of charge to the public.

Whilst the initial roll-out begins in Gloucestershire Icebook are in advanced discussions with emergency services in many other areas who are set to follow suit in the coming months.

For more information about Icebook visit icebook.co.uk.