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Blog: How the HALO Smart Sensor Is Transforming Campus Safety           Published: 03/07/2025            

How the HALO Smart Sensor Is Transforming Campus Safety

Creating safe, supportive learning environments is a top priority for every school, college, and university. But today’s educational institutions are under more pressure than ever. From the sharp rise in student vaping to increasing reports of bullying, aggressive behaviour, and poor indoor air quality, safeguarding teams are being asked to do more—with fewer resources and in more complex environments.

At CSE Crosscom, we’ve spent decades helping some of the UK’s largest and most respected educational establishments strengthen their safety, security, and communications infrastructure. From sprawling university campuses to multi-academy trusts, we understand the real-world challenges that educators face.

Now, with behavioural trends shifting and technology expectations rising, traditional tools like CCTV and mobile phones are no longer enough—especially in privacy-sensitive areas like toilets and locker rooms. Schools need new, privacy-compliant, proactive solutions to identify issues before they escalate and respond faster when every second counts.

That’s where the HALO Smart Sensor (vape detector) comes in—a discreet, intelligent, and highly adaptable device that’s changing how schools monitor, detect, and respond to emerging safety risks.

Halo smart sensor for use in schools to detect vaping


The Vaping Epidemic: A Growing Crisis

The rise in vaping among secondary school pupils has become one of the most pressing health and safeguarding challenges in UK education today.

According to the 2023 NHS “Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use Among Young People in England” survey:

  • 9% of 11–15-year-olds are now regular or occasional vapers
  • 25% have tried vaping at least once
  • Vaping prevalence has risen from 6% in 2018 to 9% in 2023
  • Many pupils admitted to vaping on school grounds, especially in areas where traditional surveillance is limited (e.g., toilets and stairwells)

Although traditional smoking continues to decline—with only 11% of pupils saying they’ve ever smoked (the lowest level ever recorded)—vaping has quickly taken its place as a widespread issue among young people.

“It is incredibly concerning that almost 1 in 10 young people regularly or occasionally vape – it means they are at risk of becoming hooked on one of the world’s most addictive substances,” — Matt Fagg, NHS England’s Director for Prevention and Long-Term Conditions

This data reinforces the need for intelligent, privacy-safe technologies that can help schools and universities detect vaping in hard-to-monitor areas, discourage usage, and provide a real-time response—without breaching student privacy or relying on intrusive surveillance.

The HALO Smart Sensor (vape detector) is uniquely positioned to meet this challenge.

Data collected via NHS England website report

Enter the HALO Smart Sensor: Privacy-Safe, Data-Rich, Real-Time Detection

The HALO Smart Sensor is a cutting-edge, privacy-first safety device designed for educational environments. Unlike traditional surveillance tools, HALO captures no video or audio. Instead, it uses advanced sensor technology to detect a range of safety and wellbeing threats:

What HALO Detects:

  • Vaping & THC use – Pinpoints both nicotine and cannabis-based emissions
  • Tobacco smoke – Flags traditional smoking indoors
  • Air quality issues – Monitors CO₂, particulate matter, VOCs, and humidity
  • Aggressive behaviour – Recognises shouting, distress keywords like “help,” and abnormal sound patterns
  • Tampering & masking – Sends alerts for attempts to disable or deceive the sensor
  • Overcrowding & movement – Tracks occupancy levels and unusual motion

How HALO Cloud Enhances Oversight

HALO Cloud takes the capabilities of the HALO Smart Sensor even further by delivering a powerful, cloud-based management platform. With features like real-time dashboards, interactive maps, advanced analytics, and automated reporting, HALO Cloud gives schools and universities a centralised view of their entire safety network.

This intuitive platform allows staff to monitor, analyse, and respond to incidents across multiple locations—quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re tracking vaping alerts, monitoring air quality, or reviewing behavioural trends, HALO Cloud ensures your team is always informed and in control.

For multi-site schools and universities, HALO Cloud adds a powerful management layer:

  • Real-time alerts and visual mapping of incidents
  • Centralised dashboards for trend tracking
  • Automated reports on vaping, air quality, and behaviour
  • Multi-campus visibility across buildings and departments

These insights help school leaders and safeguarding teams make smarter decisions and allocate resources effectively.

Halo Cloud for use with Halo Smart Sensor


Halo Smart Sensor Frequently Asked Questioned

How can I buy the HALO Smart Sensor?

You can purchase the HALO Smart Sensor by requesting to speak with a team member. You can also buy the HALO Smart Sensor through our website online but it is advisable to speak to one of our Halo experts.

How far can the HALO Smart Sensor detect vaping?

Each HALO Smart Sensor covers 144 sq. ft. (13.4 m²) at 8ft (2.4m) ceilings; coverage varies according to ventilation and ceiling height.

How do school vape detectors work?

School vape detectors, like the HALO Smart Sensor, work by detecting specific chemicals and particles released during vaping, sending real-time alerts to school staff.

Do school vape detectors have cameras?

HALO school vape detectors prioritise privacy without cameras, making them ideal for sensitive areas like restrooms. They ensure safety without compromising rights.

Can school smoke detectors detect vaping?

Traditional school smoke detectors cannot detect vaping, but HALO Smart Sensors are specifically designed to identify vape emissions, including nicotine and THC.

Are vape detectors allowed in school bathrooms?

Yes. HALO vape detectors are allowed in school bathrooms to enhance safety while preserving privacy.

Where should school vape sensors be placed?

School vape sensors should be placed in ceiling areas, away from air vents, where vaping is likely, but cameras can’t be used, like bathrooms, locker rooms and dorms.

Are school bathroom vape detectors battery-powered?

Most school bathroom vape detectors are not battery-powered. They typically require a wired connection for constant power to ensure continuous monitoring and functionality.

Can vape detectors for schools record audio?

No, the HALO Smart Sensor does not record audio. It monitors environmental factors like air quality, vaping and noise levels without recording audio.


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