The government intends to implement a national system whereby they can send
a ‘siren’ alert to every compatible mobile phone and tablet in the country, to warn people of extreme threats to life and property (such as terrorist incidents,
flash floods etc).
The government plans to test this on the evening of Sunday 23rd of April.
The video below gives information on the new system.
The alert will say: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby. In an actual emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.
“This is a test. You do not need to take any action.” Mobile phone masts in the surrounding area will broadcast an alert. Every compatible mobile phone or tablet in range of a mast will receive the alert. Your mobile phone or tablet does not have to be connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi to get alerts. You can opt out of emergency alerts, but the government advises you should keep them switched on for your own safety.
IMPORTANT FINAL NOTE: It has been raised with government about how this could affect people who are stuck in an abusive relationship and have an alternative or ‘hidden’ phone or tablet for making emergency calls.
THIS ALERT SYSTEM WILL OVER-RIDE ALL SILENT MODE SETTINGS. If you or someone you know is in that situation, please make sure that they know how to opt out of those alerts so that their secondary phone does not go off on the evening of the 23rd of April.
Refuge, the Domestic Abuse Charity, have produced a really helpful video on how you can opt out of the emergency alerts on a secondary or secret phone, permanently. You can see that video below:
