Louth people warned they may get UK’s emergency mobile phone alert

People living or visiting Louth are being warned that they may receive an emergency alert message sent by the British government as part of a drill taking place this Sunday.

On Sunday, 7 September, at 3pm, the UK Government will test its Emergency Alerts service across the UK, including Northern Ireland. This system was launched across Britain and Northern Ireland in March 2023 and was tested in April 2023.

As happened during the April 2023 test of the system, people living in, or visiting, the border counties may receive a message on their phone or mobile device, followed by an audio alert and a vibration of up to ten seconds. This emergency alert will look and sound different to other types of messages such as SMS text messages. 

The alert will be received even if the mobile device is set to ‘silent’ or ‘do not disturb’. Devices do not need to be connected to WiFi or mobile data to get the alert. 

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The government have said there is no cause for concern, and no action is needed.

A government statement said: "Vulnerable people, including victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse, may carry hidden phones for personal safety reasons. Anybody in this position who would prefer if their phone did not sound, should turn their phone off or switch it to airplane mode. 

"The UK launched its Emergency Alerts service across Britain and Northern Ireland on Sunday, 19^th March 2023. This service enables the UK Government to send a message to all mobile devices to warn of a life-threatening emergency nearby, for example extreme weather, severe flooding or a fire. This service aims to provide clear information to help keep people safe."