About the campaign
WHY WE EXIST
Project Emergency Alert is a grassroots campaign with one goal: to make the UK's emergency alert system work for missing persons, just as it already does in dozens of other countries.
Our mission
ONE ALERT. ONE LIFE SAVED.
We believe that every missing person deserves the full force of modern technology behind the search for them. The UK already has an emergency alert system capable of reaching every compatible mobile phone in the country within seconds. We are calling on the Government to expand its scope to include missing persons, particularly children, autistic individuals, and vulnerable adults.
Urgency
The first hours after a person goes missing are the most critical. We need tools that match the scale of the emergency.
Inclusion
Autistic people, people with dementia, and vulnerable adults are disproportionately at risk. The system must serve everyone.
Evidence
Countries including the US, Canada, France, and the Netherlands already use alert systems for missing persons. The evidence is clear.
The backstory
HOW THIS CAMPAIGN BEGAN
The UK's emergency alert system launched in April 2023 with great fanfare. It was tested on every compatible phone in the country, a remarkable demonstration of what the technology can do. But when families of missing persons asked whether it could be used to help find their loved ones, the answer was no.
In September 2026, Jerome Marsh came across a petition on the UK Parliament website, started by Cassandra Nichols, calling on the Government to extend the emergency alert system to include missing persons. Cassandra has no affiliation with Project Emergency Alert, but her petition was the spark. Jerome was struck by the simplicity and urgency of the idea: if we can alert the entire country about a flood, why can't we alert a county about a missing child?
On 17 September 2026, Jerome founded Project Emergency Alert to build a public campaign around that petition and drive it to 100,000 signatures. We need to reach that threshold to trigger a mandatory Parliamentary debate. With enough public support, we believe we can change the law and save lives.
The case for change
THE GAP IN OUR SYSTEM
people reported missing in the UK every year
phones reachable by the current alert system
missing persons alerts ever sent in the UK
The UK emergency alert system is governed by criteria that limit its use to severe weather, flooding, and national security incidents. Missing persons, no matter how vulnerable or how urgent the situation, are excluded. We are calling for a formal review of those criteria and a pilot programme for missing persons alerts.
International precedent
COUNTRIES ALREADY DOING THIS
United States
AMBER Alert / WEASince 1996, AMBER Alerts have been broadcast via the Wireless Emergency Alert system. Over 1,100 children recovered.
Canada
Alert ReadyNational public alerting system used for missing persons, severe weather, and national emergencies.
France
Alerte EnlèvementFrance's child alert system, modelled on AMBER Alert, broadcasts via TV, radio, and mobile networks.
Netherlands
NL-AlertCell Broadcast alerts used for missing persons as well as natural disasters and public safety incidents.
Australia
Emergency AlertState-based systems used for missing persons, bushfires, and severe weather across all states and territories.
Germany
DE-Alert / KATWARNCell Broadcast system launched in 2022, used for missing persons and civil protection emergencies.
The people behind the campaign
WHO WE ARE
Project Emergency Alert is an independent, non-partisan grassroots campaign. We are not affiliated with any political party, government body, or commercial organisation.
Jerome founded Project Emergency Alert on 17 September 2026 after discovering a petition on the UK Parliament website and recognising the urgent need for a public campaign behind it. He leads the campaign's advocacy work and is committed to driving the petition to 100,000 signatures.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN
Sign the petition, share it with everyone you know, and help us reach 100,000 signatures.