Every single mobile phone in the UK is set to sound a loud siren at exactly the same time next weekend as the Government tests its Emergency Alerts system
Britain is braced for a nationwide emergency alert test next weekend, with every mobile across the country set to blare out a loud siren simultaneously.
Every handset linked to 4G or 5G networks will emit the piercing sound as part of the first trial of the emergency system since 2023, with alarms sounding for up to 10 seconds to check the nation’s preparedness for major disasters.
Brits can expect the drill to kick off at precisely 3pm on Sunday, September 7, with mobiles also set to buzz as a text message lands making it clear the alert is merely a test run.
The warning system has been deployed five times previously, with ministers firing off messages to residents in January during Storm Eowyn, targeting people in Scotland and Northern Ireland with localised messages about extreme weather conditions. 3.5 million received alerts in December 2024 after Storm Darragh battered Wales and the South West.
The countrywide notification network is crafted for deployment during the most probable crises to hit Britain, including floods and blazes, but was also utilised to warn locals when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Plymouth last year.
Last week, the complete wording of the trial message was unveiled for the first time, stating: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
“You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
“Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at gov.uk/prepare.”
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, stated: “On Sunday September 7, we will hold a UK-wide test of the Emergency Alerts system to ensure it works when we need it most.
“It is a vital tool for keeping the nation safe when lives are on the line – and every minute matters.
“During Storm Darragh and Storm Eowyn, as millions faced dangerous extreme weather, I saw first-hand how effective it was at getting life-saving advice to at-risk communities in an instant.
“We do not use the system often, but like the fire alarm in your home, it is always on standby should we need to act.”