Vulnerable people and victims of abuse with hidden phones are advised that it is possible to turn off the Government’s emergency mobile alert. The system being tested nationwide on Sunday, April 23 at 3pm, will cause mobile phones to vibrate and play a loud siren.
The plan is for the system to alert people in case of life-threatening emergencies, including flooding, terrorist attacks and wildfires. The system has been developed following similar schemes in the United States, Canada, Japan and the Netherlands.
However, the introduction of the system has raised concerns from a number of charities and organisations about the impact of the alert on vulnerable people. Women’s Aid has also raised the possibility that victims of abuse who have secret “lifeline” mobile phones could be at risk if the alert sounds.
