A siren-like emergency warning message will be sent by the Government to all mobile phone users across the UK next month to test a new public alert system.
A message will appear on the home screens of people's devices during the test, with vibration and a loud warning sound that will ring for about 10 seconds - even if the phone is set to silent. Phone users will be unable to use other features on their devices unless they acknowledge the alert, due to be sent on Sunday April 23.
The system, being modelled on similar schemes used in the US, Canada, Japan and The Netherlands is intended to be used in life-threatening situations and will initially focus on the most serious weather-related events including flooding and wildfires. The messages will include details of the area impacted and instructions about how to respond.
