UK heatwave: officers urged to keep safe in the hot weather

10 July 2025

With heat health alerts in place across the country, North Yorkshire Police Federation is encouraging members to protect themselves in the hot weather.

Branch secretary Tony Barnes says it’s important that officers stay hydrated and take breaks to keep cool as temperatures head towards 30C going into the weekend.

Tony said: “The hot weather can pose extra challenges for police officers, particularly for those on the front line in full PPE, and our police dogs are especially vulnerable to excess heat.

Officers are being encouraged to stay safe in the sun. Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

“The high temperatures that are being forecast present the risk of dehydration, which can result on lower energy levels, tiredness, and impaired mental processing.

“Exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat stress, and dizziness, tiredness, headaches, and reduced mental and physical performance – and for our dogs, heat stroke.

“So it’s important that officers take sensible precautions. If you’re on the streets or at a scene, take plenty of water to stay hydrated.

“Wear a cap and sunscreen to protect against the sun. If possible, take regular breaks.

“And if you are at a station, or where it’s safe to do so, take off your PPE to allow you to cool down.

“We’d ask the Force to help in this by providing shade at scenes, and provide fans or air-conditioning to keep offices cool.

Heat health alert

“And we’d ask that non-essential, physically demanding tasks be scheduled for during cooler parts of the day.”

Tony’s comments come as the UK Health Security Agency issued a yellow heat health alert.

The Met Office has forecast that temperatures will climb to 32C in York on Friday and 33C on Saturday.

In Harrogate, they are expected to top 30C on Friday and Sunday, and could reach 33C on Saturday.

Tony urged people to show understanding for frontline officers who take breaks in public.

Take a break

He said: “Police officers are ordinary people doing an extraordinary job and they need to eat and drink and take a break, like anyone else.

“They may have been to a traumatic incident and had to go many hours without a break, and need then to grab something on the go to be ready for their next call.

“I think the vast majority of people realise that and we’d ask that people show understanding if they see an officer taking a break or dog handlers parked in shaded area giving their police dogs a drink.”

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