How the LRF responds
Luton and Bedford Town Centre Evacuation plans
The purpose of an evacuation is to move people from an area where they might be at risk to an area of less risk. Evacuation can include internal movement within a building, a partial evacuation, or a full evacuation.
The decision whether to contain or evacuate people from an incident site will depend on the risk assessments of those alternatives. The police will then, in consultation with other organisations, define the boundaries of the area to be evacuated depending on the circumstances of the incident.
Generally the police have no legal authority to enforce evacuation. The ultimate decision whether to follow any advice to evacuate rests with the individuals affected. However, the police do have the authority to force people to evacuate or remain within an area during a terrorist incident.
Businesses and shops in the area may have their own evacuation plans. If so, they may have already arranged for appointed staff to clear people from the buildings.
The appropriate local authority will try to arrange transport from an agreed
assembly point to a safe area. For those with special needs, e.g. the elderly
or the infirm, minibuses, ambulances or taxis will be used.
What you should do
You will be told clearly where to go and how to get there. Please do not
argue - you will only be asked to move if there is no choice.
Everyone instructed to evacuate will be told which safe area to go to. This may be an assembly point from where you will be transported or a place set up by the bluelight services outside the cordon.
You may be taken to a Rest Centre which will provide emergency food, warmth, shelter and health needs. Click here for more information on Rest Centres.
Download
the Luton Evacuation plan [Adobe PDF document, 4.33 MB]
Download
the Bedford Evacuation plan [Adobe PDF document, 1.91 MB]
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