Force Orders 1940

X 13th 1iay, ]940. CIRCUI.ATEDTO D2VISIONALHEADQUA8TER$ AND_STATIONOFF2CES. POLICE ACTION AT AIR RAID INCIDENTS. 'Wen a regular Constable,or a 1st Police Reservist, or a Police War Reservist, or a Special Constablearrives at an Air Raid Incid nt,and he is the first Constableto arrive at the scene, he should:- Make a quick reconnaissanceso as to appreciatewhat has happened, and to ascertainwhat has been done by Air Raid Wardens or others. (The first Warden on the scene of any incidentwi11 report it immediatelyand wi11 then render any assistancehe can, pending the arrival of the Police and other Services. Thereafterthe Wardens present at the incidentwi11 act under the general directionsof the Police.) The Police Officer should,after making his raconnaissance,even if a Warden has already reported the incident,at once correctlyreport to the Control Centre what the position is - always remQmberingthat the Controllerwi11 base his action to snnd Police reinforcements,First Aid Partias,Ambulances, etc. on his report. If there is nothing to add to the Warden's message, the Police OfSicer should si..' plyconfirm it and report his presence. He should tak� prompt action pendingthe arrival q� reinforcements,e.g. renderingFirst Aid or protecting property or preventingpanic. He should not hesitateto enlist the help o� any Wardens who may be prese t; or any members of the Public. The duties of Wardens are, in the main, supplementary to those of the Police, and the Police are entitledto look to the Wardens to assist them. A11 members of the Constabularyshould remember that the Police are respor.siblefor taking charge of the general situationat and near the scene of any air raid incident, as regards saving 1ife, protectingpropex'ty,controllingthe movemer.tsof persons and vehicles on the roads, preventingpanic or other uncontrolledmovements and maintainingmorale. The duties accordinglyinclude the follov ng, so 1' as occasionmay arise:- Controlli gthe movements o�, and the position taken up by, a11 vehicles, with the object oP securing, so far as practicable,ready means of access and egress accordingto the requirementsof the respectiveservices. Controllingthe movements of spectators,would-be helpers.,persons escaping from damaged or burning buildings etc. and checking any panic movement or any tendency to looting. . Taking part in rescue and first aid work, in advance, if necessary, of the fire brigade, rescue or casualty services. Calling �or he1p, through�e wardens' service or any other appropriate means. In case of contamination,or suspected contamination,by gas, preventing the approach of unauthorisedpersons, or persons not properly protected, especiallyon the down-wind side; seeing that windows oP any occupied building in the danger area are kept closed and that occupantskeep indoors. (Wardens should help with this). Preventingapproachto unexploded bombs or shells, except by persons authorisedto deal with them. Preventingapproach to or entry o� damaged and dangerousbuildings, without good reascn. seeing that any dead are covered from the public gaze, and that steps aye taken to remove the bodies as soon as possible. Generally,extendinghelp and encoura ementto personswho ara injured. rendered homeless or panic stricken. S perintendentsare to report to Aeadquartersby saturday, 18th May, 1940, that a11 Police Auxiliariesserviag in their Divisions,as we11 as the regular Constables,have had this General Order rought to their notice. � / C/ , Chief Constable.