News

Public warning system will send alert to all UK smartphones on Sunday

Published

3 years ago

April 17, 2023

ON SUNDAY, April 23, a test alert will be sent to smartphones across the UK as a part of a new public warning system. The alert will contain a message with a siren, to be sent at 3 pm BST, and will instruct recipients to follow the instructions in the alert to keep themselves and others safe during a real emergency. The alert will include a sound and vibration for 10 seconds, even for phones on silent, and users will have to acknowledge the alert before they can continue using their devices.

The emergency alert system is designed to warn the public of extreme weather events, such as flash floods or wildfires, and could also be used in the case of terror incidents or civil defense emergencies if the UK was under attack. The message will read: “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.” The alert system will be used to send the message to 4G and 5G mobile phones.

According to an instructional video issued by the government, the alerts will only ever be sent by the emergency services or the government, and the same message will go to all compatible phones within an area of risk. They do not use phone numbers, collect data or track movements. All 4G and 5G Android and Apple phones are already fitted with emergency alert capability, as similar systems are in use in countries including the US, Canada, and Japan.

Drivers are being advised not to look at or touch their phone until it is safe to do so, just as when receiving calls or messages. “Getting this system operational means we have a vital tool to keep the public safe in life-threatening emergencies,” said Oliver Dowden, the minister in charge of the system. “It could be the sound that saves your life,” he said.

The government has launched a publicity campaign regarding the alert, and Alex Woodman, from the National Fire Chiefs’ Council, called on the general public to “play their part” in helping to keep people safe. Domestic abuse campaigners, including the charity Refuge, have warned that the test could put some vulnerable people in danger by alerting an abuser to the location of a secret phone. The government said it had been engaging with such organizations to ensure those at risk were not adversely affected by the introduction of emergency alerts.

Officials also said it was possible to opt-out of the system if people needed their phone to stay concealed, either by turning off emergency alerts in their settings or simply having the phone switched off during the test. The test had originally been planned for the early evening but was moved to avoid clashing with the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester United and Brighton.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

7 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

7 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

7 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.