Richmond Council sparked fear and confusion on Twitter yesterday after sharing details about how to prepare an emergency grab-and-go bag.

In a tweet the local authority said grab bags are "full of emergency items in case you need to flee your home immediately without time to pack".

They suggested packing items such as a first aid kit, a torch, food and water, and an emergency plan.

Both Richmond and Wandsworth councils, which share a staffing service, wrote the tweets as part of a month-long campaign to help people know what they need to leave in emergencies such as domestic violence or flooding. Other councils and public bodies have also tweeted about the campaign.

But many Twitter users presumed the tweets were something to do with Covid-19 or an imminent disaster, with a number of people replying to the Wandsworth account in particular.

More than 1,400 responses from users asked questions such as "What is this? Are we actually heading to an end of times scenario?" and "How bad are things getting in Wandsworth?"

Another added: "Great idea but perhaps could have read the room and considered the anxiety this could cause some. Could have been worded a bit better."

Wandsworth Council backtracked and replied on Twitter: "Agreed. We're sorry to have caused alarm."

Richmond Council seemed to get off lighter, with fewer retweets, perhaps due to its jokey addition of the phrase: "please don't just pack gin."

It added: "Hello all - this tweet is part of a month long campaign helping people to know what they need to do if they need to leave in an emergency - this could include domestic violence or flooding."

But a number of people were alarmed. Tim Rosser replied: "I think this is unnecessary scaremongering and not good use of our council tax."

Teresa Reed said: "What is the emergency? Why does LBRUT think we might have to evacuate and where will we go? I think we must be told."

A spokesperson for Wandsworth Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "This is part of an annual national campaign, supported by many public bodies up and down the country, including councils, the NHS, police and fire services, and is aimed primarily at those in vulnerable situations who may need to leave their homes at a moment's notice.

"This includes people living in a flood risk area, victims of domestic violence or those who may be affected by a gas leak or a power cut. This national campaign simply urges people to be prepared for sudden emergencies."

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