In order to stop the violent psychiatric patients from escaping or offending again, the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is fitting them with satellite tracking devices.

The patients will be fitted with ankle bracelets equipped with global positioning system technology. This move is part of a pilot scheme.

As many as 60 medium and high-risk patients, who are booked at the trust, are being fitted with these devices during day offs and while they are transferred from one hospital to another.

"We have a duty to provide high quality patient care while at the same time promoting public safety. Our medium secure services provide hospital treatment for people with severe mental health problems”, an NHS spokeswoman Said.

She added that the authorities are looking for a tracking system to provide safe and efficient services. She also said that the team had considered the consultation of a number of patients, their representatives and mental health charities.

The ankle bracelet enables the authorities to trace the patient's movements within a few meters.

The system has been introduced in South London following the reported escape of rapist Terrence O'Keefe from King's College Hospital in March 2008.