'I stockpiled 600 cans of food for an emergency'

A man who purchased 600 cans of food in case of an emergency has said that it is something he began to do following the start of the war in Ukraine and Covid-19 pandemic.

The government has told us to have three days' worth of food and water on hand to get through a national emergency in its 'Be Ready' campaign.

Ian Ferguson from Weymouth, Dorset has been collecting tins for the last two years.

"Six cans would last me a day and then I have enough to hand out to other people if they need it."

The Governments "Be Ready" campaign warns that severe weather and cyber attacks could disrupt essential services, and British households need to make sure they have what they need to get through a rocky few days.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said unexpected events "seem to becoming more common" and everyone should have "those supplies in the house to get you through those moments".

Recommendations include having enough supplies in the kitchen to last three days, including bottled water and non-perishable foods.

Wet wipes, a torch and cash are also recommended – some of which Ferguson has stored in a shed.

"I do have lots of bedding and stuff like that indoors, so if I couldn't put my heating on, I've got a couple of sleeping bags." he said.

The 71-year-old explained why he started. "It was about two years ago I started and there'd been some various things and obviously Covid was a huge lesson, people panic buying, taking stuff.

Ferguson continued; "Ever since the Ukraine conflict I'm thinking if if that could happen there then we are really susceptible to some sort of attack you know and even if it's not an actual physical attack of soldiers on the floor and cyber attacks.

"Everything's controlled by computers now, so we are really susceptible to living in a digital world and somebody turning the switch off."

Every time Ferguson visited a supermarket to do his food shop he has purchased six extra cans just in case.

The 71-year-old has also bought a gas stove with canisters and water filters for his water butt in his back garden.

"I've got my filtration sticks that I can use so I can drink that water.

"You know a lot of people talk about you know what about having a bath or a shower well I think when push comes to itself staying alive is probably a bit more important than minor points of personal hygiene."

The business owner believes having 600 cans is necessary "If I was going to eat six tins a day, which would be more than ample, I've got 100 days' supplies.

"but I've got family, I've got friends, I've got neighbours, I would be looking to share, I wouldn't be looking to keep it to myself."

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting had said the advice - which is similar to guidance issued by the previous government - was not triggered by any "particular piece of intelligence", but rather about improving "national resilience" more generally.

The government's announcement focused on extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent because of man-made climate change - but Streeting also referred to the threat of "increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks" on businesses, and supply chain disruption caused by "hostile state actors or terrorists".