A new emergency text system is set to be trialled this summer before being rolled out nationwide across the United Kingdom.
Warnings will be sent directly to people’s phones from HM’s Government in the event a risk to life, such as flooding or fire.
Similar systems exist in other countries, including New Zealand, “where it has been widely credited with saving lives,” the government said.
The first trial will be in East Suffolk on 25 May, when residents will receive a test alert, a second test will take place in Reading on 15 June. If it is successful, the system will be rolled out across the UK.
The Cabinet Office said the alerts would issue a warning, details of the affected area, advice on what to do, and a link to further information.
The system will be a “vital tool in helping us to better respond to emergencies,” said Penny Mordaunt, the Cabinet Office minister.
It will “allow us to more quickly and effectively get life-saving messages to people,” she claimed.
The alerts “do not reveal your location and do not collect any personal data. Alerts can also only be sent by authorised governmental and emergency services users,” the government has also claimed.
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