\n<\/p>\n
The Southport riots, a falling Chinese rocket and parasitic water all almost caused the UK government to use its emergency alerts system.<\/p>\n
Launched in 2023, the alerts warn people of a danger to life in their area.<\/p>\n
Testing has seen mobile phones play siren-like sounds with messages displaying on screens.<\/p>\n
Now, research from the PA news agency has uncovered when the alerts were almost sent for real.<\/p>\n
The most notable of these was the Southport riots in the summer of 2024.<\/p>\n
Widespread unrest erupted following the murder of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July of that year.<\/p>\n
After the killings, and following online rumours that the perpetrator was a small boat migrant, violent rioting broke out in several locations.<\/p>\n
Mosques, community centres, libraries and hotels housing asylum seekers were all targeted.<\/p>\n
A recent government analysis found the situation was “largely instigated” by far-right groups<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n British-born Axel Rudakubana later admitted to the murders.<\/p>\n