Domestic abuse victims urged to silence national alert

Victims of domestic abuse in Southport who have secret phones for their safety are being told to silence alerts that will be sent to all phones in the town.

At 3pm on Sunday 23rd April there will be a test of the Government’s new, national Emergency Alerts system set up to warn people across the UK if there’s a danger to life nearby.

What happens when you get an emergency alert?

In an emergency, your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe. Your mobile phone or tablet may:

• make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent;
• vibrate;
• read out the alert.

The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.

If you receive an alert, it will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information.

Any alerts sent to you will be based on your location at the time and not where you live or work.

To avoid being put at risk, people experiencing domestic abuse, who for their safety have a secret or secondary mobile phone, are being advised to run off Emergency Alerts.

This is because the alert will play a sound even if the phone is on silent. The alert will play a loud siren and vibrate, and the phone will not be useable until the alert is acknowledged.