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Brits to be sent terrifying texts to their phones in nationwide security test
BRITS across the country will be sent terrifying texts to their mobiles as part of a nationwide security test.
Millions will hear an alarm go off from their phone and get a warning text message as the Government trials a new emergency alarm system.
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It has been set up to warn people if there is a “danger to life” situation nearby – with the initial testing to focus on flooding and extreme weather conditions.
The owner of the mobile will then get details of the emergency along with advice on what to do and how to get help.
Labour has been pushing for the introduction of the scheme for more than ten years and ministers have been promising to introduce it since 2013.
In August last year the Government had promised to launch it in October.
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Kit Malthouse, the Cabinet Office minister, said at the time that the new scheme would allow the government to “warn people much more comprehensively” about imminent dangers such as storms, floods, wildfires and terror attacks.
The government then published its National Resilience Framework in December which said the system would be launched in “early 2023”.
But until now only local testing in Reading had been done.
A Government spokesperson said: “Emergency Alerts will be a vital tool in helping us better respond to emergencies, both nationally and locally.
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“We have worked closely with the emergency services to develop this and carried out extensive trials ahead of its national rollout. We expect to update shortly.”
Labour's Shadow Paymaster General Fleur Anderson said the Government had been “haphazard in preparing for emergencies” and the trial was “long overdue”.
“This saga has dragged on far too long and left our country lagging far behind on keeping the public safe," she said according to .
“Labour has a plan for a more resilient Britain to ensure government is alert to the threats our country faces.”
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