Emergency text messages warning of a ‘threat to life’ will be sent to Brits if they are in an area at risk of flooding, extreme heat or a terrorist attack
- Warnings will be sent to anyone in an area where there is a ‘threat to life’
- Phones will vibrate and emit a unique sound while message details emergency
- They will also be given advice on what to do and how to seek help nearby
- Warnings are free and will work like a radio broadcast for those in the situations
The public will be sent emergency texts if they are in an area at risk of flooding, extreme heat or a terrorist attack in reforms of the Government’s crisis response plans.
The warnings will be sent to anyone in an area where there is a ‘threat to life’. Phones will vibrate and emit a unique sound, while a message will give details of the emergency along with advice on what to do and how to seek help. The warnings, which are free, will work like a radio broadcast with every phone or tablet in the range of a specific mast alerted.
Therefore, any data and privacy fears are minimised because the emergency services and the UK Government do not need individual phone numbers to issue broadcasts and individuals can opt out in their phone settings.
A privacy expert said: ‘A system like this would need tight regulation on content and purpose but if that’s accepted then it does seem a much better way of doing things than their prior idea of asking the telephone companies to do it for them.’
The warnings will be sent to anyone in an area where there is a ‘threat to life’. Phones will vibrate and emit a unique sound, while a message will give details of the emergency along with advice on what to do and how to seek help (stock image)
Over the next few months everyone in England, Wales and Scotland will receive a test alert explaining the system before it is introduced in December.
Speaking at the Operations Centre of the Met Office last week, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Kit Malthouse MP, said the Government was ‘shaking up’ its response to emergencies.
‘We will launch a new public emergency alerts system in the Autumn which will focus on extreme weather, revolutionising our ability to ‘warn and inform’ people who are in significant and immediate danger,’ he said.
‘These alerts will be sent direct to people’s mobiles giving details of the emergency – such as local flooding – explaining what to do and how to seek help.’
Over the next few months everyone in England, Wales and Scotland will receive a test alert explaining the system before it is introduced in December (stock image)
Ian Cameron, Director of Markets at the Met Office, said: ‘The right messaging helps people take action to stay safe.
‘It is clear that we are seeing an increase in the number of extreme weather events in the UK and overseas.
‘Just this summer we have seen temperatures in the UK exceed 40C for the first time on record, followed closely by the heatwave which ended earlier this week. Communicating effectively is imperative so we can warn and alert people, ensuring they are aware and have more time to take action and look after themselves, their friends and family.’
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