Emergency alerts that will help to warn people about terrorist attacks and severe flooding are being trialled on Reading residents' phones today.
The government's new system is being tested across the country and the second of these tests will be in Reading today (June 29) between 1pm and 2pm.
This means people working, living or travelling through the town on this date and at this time may receive this alert.
What should I expect?
If you receive an alert, you will hear a loud siren-like sound.
A message on your screen will tell you more about the emergency.
It will read: "The UK government is testing Emergency Alerts in Reading, Berkshire.
"Emergency alerts tell you what to do if there’s a life-threatening event nearby.
"To find out more, call 0808 1697692 or search for gov.uk/alerts"
Once launched following the trials, it will also tell you how you should respond to the information.
On this occasion, recipients will not need to do anything should they get an alert as this is only a test.
What else should I know about the alerts?
Alerts are sent to phones 'within an area of risk' and do not track location, require your phone number or collect personal data.
Following the testing, the alerts system is expected to launch in summer 2021.
If you don't have a mobile phone, you will be informed of the danger through another channel.
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