A free smartphone app to show the locations of crimes and traffic accidents has been developed by the Saitama Prefectural Government as part of efforts to raise public safety awareness, NHK reported Thursday.

The app shows crime scenes and accident spots on a map of Saitama Prefecture soon after police and fire departments learn about such incidents. The types of crimes to be shown on the map are mostly street crimes, including attacks on children, NHK said.

Tha app also functions as a safety light as well as a buzzer that can make a loud sound.

NHK quoted Hiroshi Sakata, a Saitama prefectural official in charge of public safety, as saying the recent surge in the number of crimes involving children has prompted the prefecture to develop the app.

The app can be downloaded from the prefectural government' website: www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/page/saitamaken-anshin-support-navi.html