What is the Emergency Alerts Service?

The new Emergency Alerts service is now live. The system will enable people to be sent an alert message via their mobile phone if their lives are at risk in an emergency. The service will be used to warn you about life-threatening emergencies such as severe flooding.

How and when will it be used?

Emergency Alerts are messages sent to all compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones when there’s a danger to your life, health or property in the area in which you are located. The sender of the alert message doesn’t need your location or phone number. 

Who will send the emergency alert?

Only the government and the emergency services can send them. If you don’t have a mobile, you’ll still be kept informed through other channels.

What to do if you receive an emergency alert?

If you get an Emergency Alert on your phone, you’ll hear a loud, siren-like sound. A message on your screen will tell you about the emergency and how best to respond. You’ll be able to check if an alert is genuine at gov.uk/alerts

Further Information

To learn more about Emergency Alerts, look out for the nationwide information campaign and visit gov.uk/alerts