A campaign to use mobile phones to help identify victims of accidents and disasters has taken off since last Thursday’s bomb attacks in London.

Mobile users are being urged to enter a number in their phone’s memory under the heading ICE - In Case of Emergency. Paramedics or police would be able swiftly to find the number and use it to contact a relative or friend who is able to identify the victim and give them vital personal information, including details of any medical conditions.

The idea is the brainchild of Bob Brotchie, and East Anglian Ambulance Service paramedic. It was launched in May this year, but made only limited impact. After last week’s attacks, in which many victims were rendered unidentifiable by the bomb blasts, an e-mail campaign has spread the idea around the world.

"I was reflecting on some difficult calls I have attended, where people were unable to speak to me through injury or illness and we were unable to ascertain who they were," Mr Brotchie told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. "In trying to establish their identity, I discovered that many people, obviously, carry mobile phones and we were using them to discover who they were. It occurred to me that if we had a uniform approach to searching inside a mobile phone for an emergency contact then that would make it easier for everyone."

Mr Brotchie said that his idea had spread as far as the USA and Australia since the July 7 attacks. He urged mobile manufacturers to take it on board by adding ICE headings to phones before they are sold.

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