Lauraine Griffiths. Pic:Oluwatosin Oyeniyi

A digital project manager presented her personal safety app for the first time yesterday at Croydon Tech City, a monthly meet up for technology entrepreneurs.

Lauraine Griffiths, 42, a digital project manager from Beckenham is working on a new safety app called Meanderlings after experiencing a lucky escape from a van driver.

Five years ago, Griffiths had enjoyed a night out with her work colleagues. On her way home at the end of the night, a white van crept up beside her as she walked to the bus stop. Griffiths crossed the road diagonally, but the anonymous white van did a U-turn and continued to follow her.

Griffiths crossed the road again to create as much distance as possible between her and the van driver. Once again, the van driver made a U-turn in the road and continued to pursue her.

Griffiths, not wanting to stop to take out her phone, walked to the nearest police station ,where she phoned her boyfriend for help.

The lucky escape inspired her to create the safety app Meanderlings. Griffiths said: “I see a meanderling as a free spirit who likes to come and go as they please without worrying about personal safety. That’s what the Meanderling app is designed to do.”

The app gathers details left across different platforms by the user and provides an information timeline for a friend or family member who may be concerned about their safety or whereabouts.

Griffiths is due to launch a Kickstarter campaign this October to raise funds for the app.

The next Croydon Tech City meet up will take place on October 23, 2014  at 1 Matthews Yard, Croydon, CR0 1FF