Residents urged to take extreme care with BBQs, cigarettes and anything that could start a fire

People across parts of South East England had their phones interrupted by an Emergency Alert this evening, warning of the serious risks created by the current heatwave and exceptionally dry conditions.

The alert was sent directly to compatible mobile phones, producing the distinctive loud siren-like sound and vibration used by the UK’s Emergency Alerts system.

This is not an ordinary weather notification. The national Emergency Alerts system is designed to warn people when there is a danger to life, with the message providing information about the emergency and what people should do to protect themselves and others. (Prepare⁠)

Why has the alert been issued?

The South East is experiencing exceptionally hot and dry conditions, creating a combination of extreme heat and heightened wildfire risk.

The UK Health Security Agency has an amber heat-health alert covering the South East, London and several other regions, currently extended until 10am on Saturday 15 August. (GOV.UK⁠)

The concern is not only about people becoming unwell in the heat. Dry grass, vegetation and woodland can ignite extremely easily, allowing fires to spread rapidly.

That is why residents are being urged to think carefully before using anything that creates a naked flame or produces hot embers.

BBQ warning: think twice before lighting one

One of the biggest concerns is the use of disposable BBQs.

A disposable BBQ may look harmless once the food has been cooked, but the charcoal and metal tray can remain extremely hot for a considerable amount of time.

In these conditions, a BBQ left on dry grass, thrown into vegetation or placed next to other combustible material could start a fire.

People should not use disposable BBQs in parks, woodland, heathland, fields or other areas where their use is prohibited or where there is a significant fire risk.

The Government has also introduced a temporary ban on the sale of disposable BBQs across the UK because of the wildfire danger. (Wales Online⁠)

Do not simply throw a BBQ in the bin

Another important message is about disposal.

Never put a hot or warm BBQ into a rubbish bin.

Hot charcoal can remain capable of igniting combustible material long after the visible flames have disappeared. A bin fire can quickly become a much larger incident, particularly during periods of extreme heat and dry weather.

Do not assume that a BBQ is safe just because it no longer has flames.

Allow it to become completely cold and follow local disposal guidance. If you are unsure, do not take the risk.

And never bury a hot disposable BBQ in sand or soil. Someone else could later step on the hot material and suffer serious burns, while buried embers can also remain a fire hazard.

Cigarettes and other sources of ignition

The warning extends beyond BBQs.

A cigarette end thrown onto dry grass can potentially start a fire. So can a campfire, fire pit, fireworks, glass or other objects that create or concentrate heat.

During these exceptionally dry conditions, people should avoid anything that could accidentally ignite vegetation.

If you see a fire starting in open land, move away from the area and report it to the emergency services when it is safe to do so. Do not put yourself at risk trying to tackle a rapidly spreading fire.

The heat itself can also be dangerous

The Emergency Alert comes as health authorities continue to warn about the effects of extreme temperatures.

People are being advised to:

• Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
• Stay out of direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day.
• Keep homes as cool as possible.
• Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest hours.
• Check on elderly or vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours.
• Never leave children or animals in parked vehicles.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, dizziness, weakness, headache and nausea.

Confusion, loss of consciousness or a seizure can indicate heatstroke, which is a medical emergency.

Take tonight’s alert seriously

Receiving an Emergency Alert on a phone can be unsettling, particularly when it arrives unexpectedly in the evening.

But the purpose of the system is precisely to make sure people receive an urgent warning when authorities believe there is a significant threat to life.

The message should be read carefully and the instructions followed.

For people across the South East tonight, the wider message is straightforward:

Stay cool. Stay safe. Avoid unnecessary outdoor flames. Do not use BBQs where they are prohibited or unsafe. Never leave hot charcoal behind, and never put a hot BBQ into a bin.

With the ground exceptionally dry, what might normally be considered a small and manageable source of heat can become the starting point for a serious wildfire

Recent crime figures published by Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber highlight reductions in several key offences, including knife crime, vehicle theft and shoplifting. However, a closer look at the data reveals a more mixed picture, with anti-social behaviour and overall demand on the force both increasing.

The PCC’s Annual Report 2025/26 states that Thames Valley Police has made progress in tackling a number of priority crimes. But the same report also shows that reports of anti-social behaviour increased from 7,232 to 9,565 incidents over the past year – a rise of 32% across the Thames Valley.

The report also records a 7% increase in overall incidents, with Thames Valley Police responding to more than 500,000 incidents during the year. Demand on the force has also grown, with 999 emergency calls increasing by 4%.

Reading remains above the regional average

While the PCC’s report focuses on force-wide performance, publicly available crime data from Police.uk and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicates that Reading continues to record a higher crime rate than the Thames Valley average. Robbery offences have also shown an upward trend locally over the past three years.

Violence against the person also increased by 1% across Thames Valley, according to the annual report, while national figures showed a 1% decrease over the same period.

Independent inspectors identify areas for improvement

The latest HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) PEEL inspection, published this week, found that Thames Valley Police continues to perform well in several areas, including neighbourhood policing and crime prevention.

However, inspectors also identified weaknesses in crime investigations and safeguarding vulnerable people, concluding that further improvements are needed in these areas.

Responding to the inspection, PCC Matthew Barber acknowledged that improvements are still required and said financial pressures mean difficult decisions must be made about where resources are allocated.

Serious crime challenges remain

The PCC’s annual report also shows the force achieved a 10.6% charge rate for rape and sexual offences, meaning around one in ten recorded cases resulted in a charge during the reporting period.

Meanwhile, Government funding for victim support services fell by 4.2%, placing additional pressure on organisations supporting victims across the Thames Valley.

A mixed picture

Taken together, the latest figures suggest that while Thames Valley Police has achieved reductions in some headline crime categories, other indicators point to increasing demand and continuing challenges.

The rise in anti-social behaviour, higher incident volumes, findings from the independent HMICFRS inspection and Reading’s above-average crime rate indicate that public safety across the area remains a complex picture rather than one defined solely by falling crime statistics.

Sources: Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Annual Report 2025/26, HMICFRS PEEL Inspection 2025/26, Police.uk crime data, and the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

READING, Berkshire – Millions of Thames Water customers, including households and businesses across Reading and the wider Berkshire area, are now officially subject to a hosepipe ban that came into force at 12:01am today (23 July) following one of the driest and hottest periods England has experienced in decades.

The restrictions, officially known as a Temporary Use Ban (TUB), affect customers whose water supply is provided by Thames Water across London, the Thames Valley and surrounding counties, including much of Berkshire.

Thames Water says the decision was made after months of exceptionally low rainfall, record-breaking temperatures and soaring customer demand left rivers, reservoirs and groundwater levels under severe pressure. The company reported water demand reaching around 10% above normal across the Thames Valley during recent heatwaves.

What the hosepipe ban means

From today, customers are prohibited from using a hosepipe for a range of non-essential activities, including:

• Watering gardens, lawns and allotments.
• Filling paddling pools, swimming pools and hot tubs.
• Washing private cars with a hosepipe.
• Cleaning patios, driveways, paths and walls.
• Using pressure washers for outdoor cleaning.
• Operating sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems.

However, residents can still:

• Water plants using a watering can.
• Use water collected in water butts.
• Wash vehicles using a bucket and sponge.
• Reuse household greywater, such as cooled cooking water, to water plants.

Are there any exemptions?

Yes. Thames Water has confirmed that exemptions remain for certain customers and activities, including:

• People registered for Priority Services due to medical conditions or disabilities.
• Animal welfare, including pets, livestock and fish.
• Watering food crops.
• Certain newly planted trees and plants.
• Some commercial and essential business activities.

Why has the ban been introduced?

Despite a wetter winter, spring rainfall across the Thames Water region was only around 40% of normal levels, while repeated heatwaves have dramatically increased water consumption.

The National Drought Group has warned that large parts of England are now experiencing “prolonged dry weather”, the stage immediately before an official drought declaration. Several regions are already approaching drought status as reservoir levels continue to fall.

Thames Water says introducing a hosepipe ban was a last resort after working to maintain supplies throughout the recent hot weather.

Could you be fined?

Yes. Customers who deliberately ignore the restrictions could face enforcement action. Under the Water Industry Act, those found breaching a Temporary Use Ban may receive fines of up to £1,000, although water companies generally focus on education before taking formal action.

Growing pressure on water companies

The restrictions have reignited debate over the UK’s ageing water infrastructure. Critics have questioned why customers are being asked to conserve water while billions of litres continue to be lost through leakage each day.

Recent public polling suggests many people believe water companies should do more to repair leaks and improve long-term resilience before imposing restrictions on customers. Thames Water says it continues investing in reducing leakage while asking households to help protect supplies during the current dry spell.

Reading residents urged to save water

For residents across Reading and Berkshire, the message is clear: every litre counts.

Simple actions such as taking shorter showers, turning off taps while brushing teeth, using watering cans instead of hoses and collecting rainwater can help reduce demand while protecting local water supplies during the ongoing dry weather.

Thames Water says the restrictions will remain in place until water resources recover sufficiently, with no end date currently confirmed.