City police upgrade real-time comms

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The City of London Police has upgraded its real-time emergency communications system.

The force implemented the original Priority Alert real-time security update system over 15 years ago following the Bishopsgate bombing.

The new Warn and Inform system, provided by Vocal, means the police can send voice, text and email messages to businesses, schools or individuals in case of a major threat - be it terrorism, emergency road closures or fire. Some 1,500 businesses subscribe to the system.

"Protecting lives is our number one priority in an incident. The Warn and Inform system saves valuable minutes, even seconds in communicating that there is a security threat," said City police commissioner Mike Bowron."It is already part of the emergency and evacuation plans of a large number of London companies. I have no doubt, one day, the system could save lives."

In the 36 hours following the terrorist attack on 7 July 2005, the City of London and the Metropolitan Police used the Priority Alert service to send 225,000 messages.

The Vocal system is also used by local authorities in Bristol, Manchester and Sheffield, as well as in London boroughs such as Croydon and Lewisham.

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