Confusion reigns in London as emergency test is mixed success

A person holds a phone showing the test message that was meant to be sent to all 4G and 5G phones. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/Reuters

Aside from a few confused passersby pulling out their phones, most shoppers in Westfield Stratford in east London were unfazed by the emergency test sent to all 4G and 5G phones this afternoon.

Emma, 30, a teaching assistant, was aware and ready for the alert. “My phone was ready but it didn’t come through but other people’s went off.”