An emergency government phone alert warning of wildfires across England and Wales has put domestic abuse victims at risk, campaigners have told the. The notification took many by surprise when it was sent on Friday night.
Millions of mobile phones lit up and bleeped with a “severe alert” notification stating there was a “very high risk of wildfires nationally.” Charities and survivors argue that a lack of advance warning meant victims hiding secret phones had no chance to protect themselves from detection by abusers.
A government spokesperson stated the alert was sent “after a direct request from fire and rescue services.” The government added that it is working closely with domestic abuse charities regarding future tests of the system.
