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Revealed
silent signal

This is how you can secretly alert police or an ambulance in an emergency by just sending a text

WITH the UK terror threat at its highest level, we are all being warned to be extra vigilant for suspicious behaviour.

The level was raised to critical in the aftermath of the devastating explosion at Manchester Arena that left 22 people dead at the end of an Ariana Grande concert.

 It has been revealed how you can send a text message to the emergency service to alert them to a dangerous situation
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It has been revealed how you can send a text message to the emergency service to alert them to a dangerous situationCredit: Getty Images

With Prime Minister Theresa May warning another terror attack could be imminent, people are being urged to contact the police if they see anything unusual.

And it appears that there is a way of silently contacting the police or calling for an ambulance in an emergency situation so to not raise suspicion.

The , which is supported by the government, allows people to send a text message to the emergency services - even in situations where you cannot talk out loud.

 With the UK terror threat at its highest level, armed police and army officers are patrolling the streets
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With the UK terror threat at its highest level, armed police and army officers are patrolling the streetsCredit: Reuters

People can ask for assistance from the police, ambulance service, fire brigade and even the coastguard - once the have signed up for the service.

To register, all people have to do is send a text message saying register to the number 999.

This will then prompt EmergencySMS to send a reply explaining the terms and conditions of using the service.

Once you agree to the conditions, you can reply saying yes, and you will be signed up for the service and you then receive a confirmation text message.

After this, you can then use the service in an emergency situation by sending a message to 999 stating the service you need, along with a brief description of your location and the emergency.

 Armed police patrol a park in Birmingham. Poeple are being urged to register for EmergencySMS
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Armed police patrol a park in Birmingham. Poeple are being urged to register for EmergencySMSCredit: Alamy

You will then receive a reply but the service suggests that if at any point you can ring 999, you should.

The advice comes as an expert warned what signs of suspicious behaviour you should report to the police.

Meanwhile, the Manchester bombing has also triggered a security crackdown with soldiers scrambled to patrol Westminster and other streets around London and the UK.

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