People encouraged to sign up for emergency notices system

Residents are being encourage to sign up to an initiative which allows emergency services to send people important notifications.

The Everbridge Emergency Notification System allows authorities to issue critical information during emergency situations aiming to save lives and properties.

The system will send you a message from the emergency services advising you on an action to take in the event of a developing situation, during an incident and following an incident.

This can include if officials need you to evacuate from an area for a reason, they will send you a message and some instructions.

It can also ask you a question i.e. are you safe? Press 1 if you are, Press 2 if you need assistance etc - this can then be followed up to get someone the help they need.

It'll continue to send mesasges to someone who's signed up until the person acknowledges they're safe and can also be used by those who don't have smartphones or e-mails.

One test message will also be sent each year.

Those registered to it will be responsible for updating personal details and if you opt out - which can be done at anytime - any personal data will be deleted from the system.

The constabulary says anyone interested in registering to the service can do so via the link here.