The government recently released a list of essential survival items.
The owner of a survivalist shop has said the government has been too slow to publish its emergency survival kit list.
Leigh Price, the owner of The Bug Out in Wales, said he has noticed a steady uptick in customers buying essential survival items since the government launched the ‘prepper’ website prepare.campaign.gov.uk.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden advised people to make contingency plans to help alleviate pressure on emergency services in case of potential emergencies.
The announcement has sparked panic among some of the public, who Leigh said are coming to his shop to buy essential items.
Leigh opened his store during lockdown, when people across the country left supermarket shelves empty when they stockpiled.
He told Metro.co.uk: ‘People are stocking up on the essential survival items since the government released its list.
‘This includes items like long-life food items in cans, water purifiers, and grab bags that include all the important things.
‘Other popular items include blankets, torches, and candles.
‘Interest in these items has certainly gone up since the government announcement this week.
‘Sales usually increase when debates like these enter the news cycle because it gets people thinking.
‘To some people these items might seem excessive, but if you are ever caught in an event where you can’t go to the shops, you can survive on just these items for a very long time.’
Leigh admitted that while the 11 items listed by the government are important, he said the UK is far behind other countries and doesn’t do enough to help people hit by disaster.
Finland operates a ’72-hour concept’ for coping in situations where ‘society’s services are disrupted or even discontinued’.
People living in the country are encouraged to stockpile food and water and be prepared to shelter indoors by taping up gaps in windows and waiting calmly for instructions on the radio.
Leigh continued: ‘While the government list published is really helpful the UK are definitely behind in comparison to other countries with publishing lists like this.
‘Weather problems, the threat of war, and global pandemics always pose a risk so it is better to be safe than sorry.
‘While those in rural areas like here in Wales are better prepared to survive disasters, it doesn’t hurt for those living in urban areas to be prepared as well.’
He also had a message to those who are sceptical of stockpiling.
‘It is fine and everybody can make their own decision but you can’t rely on the government to always help you,’ Leigh said.
‘Even during the pandemic, people were stockpiling lots of items and this was having an impact on supermarkets up and down the country.
‘People always panic if there is a disaster, and if you are prepared with something like a grab bag in the first place you do not need to panic.’
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