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Police Issue Warning to Domestic Abuse Victims Ahead of Government Alert Test
The UK Government's Emergency Alert system test may reveal hidden phones used by domestic abuse survivors, prompting charities to advise on opting out to protect vulnerable individuals.
The UK Government will conduct a national Emergency Alerts system test on Sunday, 7 September 2025 at 3pm, sending alerts to most 4G and 5G compatible phones and tablets.
The test follows an initial 12-month evaluation from April 2023 to April 2024, which assessed the system's effectiveness and informed improvements for this upcoming test.
The alert will emit a loud noise and cause the device to vibrate for around 10 seconds, even on silent mode, but can be turned off in advance to prevent revealing hidden phones used by those escaping domestic abuse.
Joy Allen warned survivors to disable alerts on secret phones to avoid detection during the test, while charities like Solace and Refuge stressed the risks the alert poses to those living with abusive partners.
The test seeks to ensure the Emergency Alerts system functions properly to save lives in future emergencies, but government and charities urge careful planning to safeguard vulnerable people reliant on hidden phones.