Millions of people across the UK will be part of an 'armageddon alert' system trial in the coming weeks.
Those taking part in the test will get an alert message on their phone accompanied by an extremely loud alarm. The system is designed to warn people if they are in proximity to a "danger to life nearby".
The long-delayed system was proposed by the government last October. However, it is yet to be completely introduced with Labour saying the trial was “long overdue from a Tory government that has been haphazard in preparing for emergencies, leaving a trail of broken promises in their wake”, the Mirror reports.
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Fleur Anderson, Labour’s Shadow Paymaster General said: “While Britain faces increasing global threats, not least from Putin’s Russia, this saga has dragged on far too long and left our country lagging far behind on keeping the public safe. While the Tories have been caught asleep at the wheel, Labour has a plan for a more resilient Britain to ensure government is alert to the threats our country faces.”
The system was previously trialled in Reading in 2021 with both iPhone and Android users being subjected to the alert for 10 seconds. One local wrote on BerkshireLive’s Facebook Page: “I nearly wet myself!” Others also wondered what the noisy siren meant, with one comment stating that “it scared the life out of me!”
It is understood that current national testing will focus on warning around flooding and extreme weather-related events. A Government spokesperson said: "Emergency Alerts will be a vital tool in helping us better respond to emergencies, both nationally and locally.
“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."
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