DPF Circulars

DPF CIRCULAR NO. 24/01

5 November 2001

Threat of Anthrax and other biological agents

It is understood that the ACPO Joint Working Group on Organisational Health, Safety and Welfare has issued advice to police forces on the correct procedures on how to deal with incidents resulting from the current threat of deliberate microbiological and chemical exposure. This information will be available for dissemination to officers as appropriate.

We are presently in discussion with the Chief Constable as regards particular advice in relation to local risk assessments for operational officers and will keep members advised.

Meantime, click here for an adobe pdf printout of an American web site that has been widely circulated within commercial organisations within the UK as a basis for the response to any such incident.

Further information is also contained in the Public Health Laboratory web site at www.phls.org.uk. This web site makes reference to the necessity of the local police making a risk assessment as a key element in managing such incidents.

If any operational difficulties are being encountered in this area please inform Tom Cullen, Welfare Health and Safety Liaison Officer.

D. King
General Secretary