imabi welcomes Torbay Council as a new Connect Partner on Travel Guardian
We’re proud to announce the launch of the Torbay Connect Partner area within imabi Travel Guardian, led by Torbay Council, with full support from Devon & Cornwall Police and Stagecoach. This partnership brings together local reporting, guidance and real-time information to help residents, students and visitors feel safer across the Bay.
This launch follows findings from the Safer Torbay transport survey, which revealed that many respondents felt unsafe travelling after dark - with 48% reporting concerns on public transport at night, particularly women, young people and disabled people. Only a third of those who witnessed or experienced crime said they reported it, highlighting a clear gap in accessible reporting routes and support: a gap the new Torbay Connect Partner area is designed to help close.
Features now live in Torbay
Users in Torbay can now access:
Torbay Speak Out reporting — a dedicated Council form for quickly and discreetly reporting safety or anti-social behaviour concerns
Stagecoach incident reporting, now live to give bus passengers in Torbay a clear way to report incidents that have happened
Support and signposting to local charities, crisis services and trusted organisations
Journey-sharing and geo-location tools to let trusted contacts know when you’re travelling or have arrived safely
Nearby facilities shown on map layers, including taxi ranks, bus stops, safe spaces and medical equipment - with opening times and directions where available
Real-time local updates, seasonal notices and council campaigns
Guides, including Torbay-specific guidance on travel safety, beach and water safety, and cold-weather advice
What local leaders are saying
Cllr Hayley Tranter, Torbay’s Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said:
“Keeping our communities safe in our towns is a priority for us.
The Safer Torbay survey showed that many people do have concerns about their personal safety, particularly women and girls, and that shouldn’t be the case. We’re addressing those concerns through this app, which can offer extra peace of mind.
It’s startling that only a third of people who experience or see crime or harassment report it. Travel Guardian provides a simple way for them to report anything they witness quickly and easily.
The app also allows users to let friends know where they are and when they’ll be arriving at a location. Plus, people can find out where the nearest taxi ranks, bus stops and train stations are, all at their fingertips. We’ve also added venues who’ve signed our Safety of Women at Night charter and other organisations that can offer support.
As the nights get darker and more people start going out in the evenings on festive celebrations, tools like Travel Guardian become even more useful.”
Mark Balaam, Founder & CEO of imabi, said:
“We created imabi Travel Guardian to give people confidence in their everyday journeys and communities. Partnering with Torbay Council means that local information can now sit alongside national safeguarding tools, making the app even more powerful for those who use it.
This partnership shows how councils can lead the way in embracing preventative, digital-first safeguarding.”
A tailored platform shaped by Torbay
The work in Torbay demonstrates how a council-led approach can shape a tailored Connect Partner area that reflects the needs of its communities. With reporting, guidance, mapping and support now joined together in one public platform, Torbay Council and its partners have a clearer way to understand concerns, engage residents and create safer, more connected towns across the Bay.
Download Travel Guardian
Torbay Council’s work with imabi shows how digital tools can make everyday journeys safer and more connected for everyone. As the Connect Partner area continues to grow, residents, students and visitors will benefit from clearer reporting routes, trusted guidance and local information all in one place.
Travel Guardian is free to download on iOS and Android, and you can find out more about the Torbay launch via Torbay Council’s website here.
