‘I was a bit shocked by it’ People in Newcastle city centre react to the UK Government’s emergency alert
People across the North East received an emergency alert on their mobile phones on Sunday afternoon.
The UK-wide alert was used by the Government to test their emergency system. It was sent at 3pm and was accompanied by a 10-second siren.
“This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
“In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
“Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.
“This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”
People shopping in Eldon Square in Newcastle city centre were giving a warning about the alert. At 2.55pm, an announcement was made over the tannoy informing people that it would take place in five minutes.
Some people walking through the city centre reported how their had received their message at 3pm, while others said that it was delayed or they hadn’t received it at all.
Levi Hownam, a call centre manager from Sunderland, received the message while shopping in the city centre. The 30-year-old said: “I was a bit shocked by it, I didn’t know what it was for.
“My phone was on silent so I didn’t hear it. I just saw the yellow triangle. I thought there must be something wrong with my phone but obviously not!
“I didn’t know about it beforehand, I don’t really watch a lot of telly. Now that I know, I think it’s a good idea for an emergency and weather warnings – a really good idea.”
Andy Craig and Anna Jeffrey in Newcastle city centre© Chronicle Live
Andy Craig, 24, and Anna Jeffrey, 23, were visiting Newcastle from Aberdeen in Scotland.
Andy, who works as a floor layer, received the alert three minutes late while Anna, who is an accountant, did not receive it at all..
Andy said: “I haven’t heard about it. I’m bad for not reading the news.
“I heard a few people’s phones go off beforehand and people were speaking about it. Mine went off three minutes later.
“I think for the elderly generation it would maybe panic people a lot.”
Anna added: “I knew about it through people at work. Mine hasn’t gone off yet! I think everyone has got it at separate times. Maybe if there was a (real) alert it would come through at the same time.”
Laura Oldham, who works in the warehouse at Fenwick on Northumberland Street, received the alert at 3pm.
The 31-year-old, who lives in West Denton, Newcastle, said: “I knew about it beforehand through word of mouth and the media.
“I had my music on so it just went quiet. I wasn’t bothered by it really. My alert came through on time. If it works I think it will be a good idea.”
