By Chay Quinn and Katie Feehan For Mailonline
Published: 11:01 EDT, 16 July 2022 | Updated: 15:27 EDT, 16 July 2022
Police officers were today forced to smash their way into the back of an Audi after the driver left a dog in the back of the car despite scorching temperatures - as the nation prepares for temperatures of 106F in (40C) its hottest day ever on Monday and and Tuesday.
At least six Hertfordshire Police officers were spotted surrounding the black Audi which was parked up in a car park in the centre of Stevenage.
With temperatures reaching the 29C (84F), the dog was rescued at about 11.30am after officers smashed a rear window and reached into get the animal out of the boiling hot car.
It comes as a COBRA meeting is held today after a national emergency was declared over intense, record-breaking heat that is set to begin on Monday and stretch into Tuesday.
The Met Office has said the heat could put people's lives at risk as it indicated it is likely that a new UK record temperature of 41C (106F) could be set on Monday and Tuesday.
Temperatures will climb over the weekend, and the Met Office has issued an unprecedented red warning for the south of England on Monday and Tuesday , and an amber warning for heat covering much of England and Wales from Sunday until Tuesday.
Meteorologists gave an 80 per cent chance of the mercury topping the UK's record temperature of 38.7C (101.7F) set in Cambridge in 2019, with the current heatwave set to peak on Tuesday. They say there s a 50% chance of temperatures passing 106F (40C) on Tuesday.
Pictured: Police officers were forced to smash their way into the back of an Audi after the driver left a dog in the back of the car despite scorching temperatures in Stevenage today
TUESDAY: The Met Office expects temperatures to hit 40C (104F) in London next Tuesday, which would be unprecedented
David Stuckey, who lives in Stevenage, told MailOnline there was a crowd stood watching as the incident unfolded.
He said: 'I was just walking back to my car and could see a large crowd of people who were stood there in disbelief.
'Someone went shopping and left their dog inside the car in sweltering heat with no windows open. Everyone couldn't believe it.
'It happened at about 11.30am and it was already very warm but I don't know how long the dog had been in the car.'
According to Met Office data, it was at least 22C at 1130am in Stevenage this morning.
The RSPCA warns that even at that temperature outside, the inside of a car could reach an 'unbearable 47 degrees within an hour' - temperatures which the animal charity describes as 'very dangerous' that would cause a dog 'suffering and harm'.
Mr Stuckey said he was unsure on the breed of the dog or what condition it was in when police removed it from the car as officers were asking members of the public to keep their distance.
Officers are permitted to smash a vehicle's window if they believe a dog is in danger.
Police use a tool called a glass punch before removing the window usually with their baton to rescue the animal inside.
The RSPCA says that, despite the common belief it is OK if windows are open or the car is in shade, dogs should never be left alone in vehicles during hot weather.
As part of their Dogs Die In Hot Cars campaign, RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: 'We know families love their pets and want to keep them close but, sometimes, it may be safer to leave your four-legged friends at home.
Britain is set to bask in sunshine today with temperatures hitting relatively mild 80F as the country braces for record-breaking heat next week which authorities have warned could be dangerous. Pictured: People in the London heat on Saturday
Pictured: Women cool off in front of a large fan in Kings Cross tube station, central London, during the heatwave
'Dogs can suffer from heatstroke during hot weather and this can be extremely dangerous, and even prove fatal.
'We're calling on pet owners to put the welfare of their dogs first this summer. If you're heading out and about then consider whether your pet may be happier in the cool at home, only walk them during the cooler hours of the day, and never leave your dog in a car unattended on a warm day.'
According to PDSA, it is not illegal as such to leave a dog in a hot car, but owners are legally responsible for their pet's health and welfare.
If a dog became ill or sadly died due to being left in a hot car, owners could be charged with the offence of animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Hertfordshire Police and the RSPCA have been contacted for comment by MailOnline.
The 'danger to life' red warning for heat was issued for the first time but Government health officials yesterday insisted there was no reason for schools or workplaces to close.
Bosses have also shot down the idea of Britons working from home to protect themselves - but many will face major disruption on their commute, with Network Rail advising passengers to 'only travel if absolutely necessary'.
Expected extreme temperatures have prompted Londoners to be urged against travelling on Monday and Tuesday.
The Cabinet Office Minister Kit Malthouse is to chair a meeting of the Government's Cobra civil contingencies committee today to discuss the impending heatwave, a Government spokesman said.
It will be the second Cobra meeting Mr Malthouse has led on the issue.
Thousands of people could die in the searing heat if the proper precautions aren't taken, experts warned ahead of the heatwave.
Climate researchers have said the country could see as many as 2,000 deaths from just one period of heat. Two lesser heatwaves last year resulted in an estimated 1,600 excess deaths, according to official figures.
Transport for London (TfL) is advising passengers to only travel for 'essential journeys'.
The firm's chief operating officer Andy Lord said: 'Due to the exceptionally hot weather that is expected next week, customers should only use London's transport network for essential journeys.
A matrix sign over the A19 road towards Teesside displays an extreme weather advisory as the UK braces for the heatwave
Pictured: Scorched earth at Thrusscross Reservoir in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, with low levels of water in the heat
NEXT WEEK: The Met Office has issued this forecast map to accompany the extreme heat warning next Monday and Tuesday
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The Met Office says that delays and cancellations to rail travel are possible with 'potential for significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays'.
And Network Rail has warned people to travel only if absolutely necessary amid the high temperatures, with speed restrictions and disruption likely.
Jake Kelly, Network Rail's System Operator group director, said: 'Rail passengers in England and Wales should only travel if necessary on Monday and Tuesday as there will be delays and cancellations to train services due to the unprecedented heat we're expecting.
'The wellbeing of our passengers is our first priority so we're asking all passengers who decide to travel to take time to prepare before leaving the house.'
Network Rail has warned that services across the UK may be subject to the speed restrictions to avoid tracks buckling, with Avanti West Coast, South Western Railway and Heathrow Express among the operators warning of potential disruption. West Midlands Trains and London Northwestern Railway have already imposed limits on sections of their network this week.
The Met Office says that delays on roads and road closures are possible during the heat alert period.
The RAC has urged motorists to 'think carefully before they drive, and do everything they can to avoid a breakdown'. It says motorists should check the coolant and oil levels under the bonnet when the engine is cold.
It added: 'If temperatures were to go as high as around 40C as some are predicting, then people should question their decision to drive in the first place.'
Hampshire County Council is preparing to deploy gritters in response to melting roads, saying that the machines will be spreading light dustings of sand which 'acts like a sponge to soak up excess bitumen'.
Motorists who find tar stuck to their tyres are advised to wash it off with warm soapy water.
The Met Office has warned that air travel could also be disruption during the heat. This is because planes can become too heavy to take off in very hot weather due to reduced air density resulting in a lack of lift.
This happened during a heatwave in summer 2018 at London City Airport when some passengers had to be removed so the services become light enough to take off on the relatively short runway.
The Met Office has warned that a failure of 'heat-sensitive systems and equipment' is possible. This could result in a loss of power and other essential services, such as water, electricity and gas.
Hot weather can lead to high demand on the power network because people are turning on fans and air conditioning - and the heat can also lead to a drop in the efficiency of overhead power cables and transformers.
The Met Office says that 'changes in working practices and daily routines will be required' in the extreme heat.
There is no specific law for a maximum working temperature, or when it is too hot to work.
But employers are expected to ensure that in offices or similar environments, the temperature in workplaces must be 'reasonable'. Companies must follow follow health and safety laws which include keeping the temperature at a comfortable level, known as 'thermal comfort'; and providing clean and fresh air.
The Trades Union Congress says that during heatwaves staff should be allowed to start work earlier, or stay later, leave jackets and ties in the wardrobe and have regular breaks. It is also calling for an absolute maximum indoor temperature of 30C (86F) - or 27C (81F) for strenuous jobs - to legally indicate when work should stop.
The Met Office has said that adverse health effects could be 'experienced by all, not just limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to serious illness or danger to life' during the warning period.
In addition, charity Asthma and Lung UK has warned up to three million asthma sufferers could be affected by high pollen levels, so should use their inhalers.
Plans to cope with the heat, created by the NHS and UKHSA, say children should not do 'vigorous physical activity' when temperatures rise above 30C (86F).
Some sports days have been cancelled this week, while official advice suggests moving school start, end and break times to avoid the hottest points in the day.
'If customers do need to travel, they should check before they travel as we are expecting there to be some impact to Tube and rail services as a result of temporary speed restrictions we will need to introduce to keep everyone safe,' he added.
'It is also vital that customers always carry water at all times with them when travelling.'
Very hot temperatures can affect rails, overhead power lines and signalling equipment, with TfL saying it will work hard to keep as many services running as possible using 'enhanced' inspections to mitigate the impact of the extreme weather.
Track temperature checks will continue to be carried out regularly across the Tube and rail networks to ensure they remain safe and that the track is not at risk of bending or buckling, TfL said in a statement.
It added it was also inspecting the air conditioning units on the trains that cover 40% of the Tube network, the trains on the Elizabeth Line and London Overground as well as the air cooling units on double-deck buses to ensure they are functioning well.
TfL also has response teams standing by on its rail and road network to deal with any issues as they occur, with a particular focus on stalled trains and times, crowding and customer advice.
Ambulance trusts – already struggling to cope with demand – face a further 20 per cent rise in call-outs for heat-related illnesses.
NHS chiefs even warned ambulances may catch fire due to the 'build-up of oxygen' as they queue outside hospitals in sweltering heat.
Some hospitals have stood down routine outpatient appointments and surgery to reduce the risk to 'frail' patients travelling into hospital – and to free up capacity for extra emergency patients.
Health chiefs fear the NHS will be overwhelmed by a number of heat-related casualties if the mercury does indeed rise to levels only usually seen at Death Valley in California, which is the world's hottest place.
The chief executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital said routine outpatient appointments and surgery would not go ahead on Monday and Tuesday following the warning over extreme heat.
Joe Harrison said on Twitter: 'It has been extremely busy @MKHospital over the past week, with more patients than usual needing emergency care and significant pressure on our staff. As we go into the weekend, temperatures are forecast to rise up to 39C on Monday and Tuesday.
'We have taken the decision to stand down routine outpatient appointments and surgery on Monday and Tuesday because many of patients travelling to these appointments are frail and at increased risk, and due to the unpredictable nature of very high temperatures on demand for emergency care and on care environment.
'We will do all we can to keep wards and departments as cool as possible, but we know this will be a challenge given the very high outside temperature.'
Climate experts have warned that the heatwave could result in thousands of excess deaths next week.
Bob Ward, the policy director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, told the Guardian: 'We could see 1,500 to 2,000 deaths just from this one period of heat.'
Prof Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University, told the newspaper: 'I think that, assuming the weather forecasts are roughly correct, it's very likely that there will be hundreds or thousands of excess deaths from the heat in the next few days.
'It's possible that, because there have been so many warnings about the coming high temperatures, people and businesses will be taking more precautions than usually happen in a heatwave, which could lower the numbers of excess deaths. I hope that happens, but I fear there will still be excess death on quite a scale.'
Meanwhile, a number of schools have said they will close at the start of next week while others have altered the times of their school day and told pupils to come in wearing PE kit in a bid to make them more comfortable.
Saturday is set to start with overcast skies and scattered showers in northern areas, before turning dry across the nation as the extreme heat moves in.
Daytime temperatures on Saturday are predicted to be around 27C in London, 26C in Cardiff, 23C in Belfast and 21C in Edinburgh.
On Sunday, the mercury will rise to 30C in the capital, 27C in Cardiff, 24C in Belfast and 23C in Edinburgh.
Temperatures are forecast to increase by several more degrees across the nation on Tuesday - up to the mid-thirties for much of England and Wales.
There is a 50 per cent chance of temperatures reaching 40C somewhere in the UK, likely along the A1 corridor, with the Met Office issuing its first ever red warning for extreme heat.
The UK Health Security Agency has increased its heat health warning from level three to level four - a 'national emergency'.
Temperature forecast for the coming heat anomoly which is due to blast Europe with record temperatures on July 18 and 19
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Level four is reached 'when a heatwave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system... At this level, illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups,' it said.
A Met Office red warning, for Monday and Tuesday, covers an area from London up to Manchester, and up to the Vale of York.
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: 'If people have vulnerable relatives or neighbours, now is the time to make sure they're putting suitable measures in place to be able to cope with the heat because if the forecast is as we think it will be in the red warning area, then people's lives are at risk.
'This is a very serious situation.'
A No 10 spokesman said railway speed restrictions may be needed on 'some parts of the network next week to manage the hot weather and to avoid any potential damage'.
Jake Kelly, of Network Rail, warned that journeys will take 'significantly longer and delays are likely as speed restrictions are introduced to keep passengers and railway staff safe'.
Getting away: Passengers queue for ferries at the Port of Dover in Kent during the hot weather on Saturday, July 16
The Met Office indicated it is likely that a new UK record temperature could be set on Monday and Tuesday. Pictured: Dover
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Pictured: Packed Bournemouth beach as the weather gets better by the day and the temperatures soar this weekend
Pictured: People flock to the coast at Bournemouth Beach on Saturday morning before temperatures rocket on Sunday
The Cabinet Office Minister Kit Malthouse is to chair a meeting of the Government's Cobra civil contingencies committee to discuss the impending heatwave. Pictured: Families enjoy cooling down in the sea at Bournemouth Beach on Saturday
Met Office described incoming heatwave as 'absolutely unprecedented'. Pictured: People enjoying early sun in Bournemouth
Record night-time temperatures of more than 25C (77F) in London are also forecast. Pictured: Sunbathers in Bournemouth
Saturday is set to start with overcast skies and scattered showers in northern areas. Pictured: A sunbather in Bournemouth
Temperatures are forecast to increase by several more degrees across the nation on Tuesday. Pictured: Bournemouth
Prepared: Sunbathers at Bournemouth beach get there early to enjoy sunshine on Saturday morning and set up their camp
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The popular beach and funfair in Leicester city centre will close early next week because of the heat emergency, the city council and Billy Bates & Sons' Funfair have confirmed.
The Billy Bates summer funfair in Leicester's Abbey Park is also to close on Monday and Tuesday, while Great Central Railway has cancelled its scheduled trains for those days.
Deputy city mayor Councillor Piara Singh Clair said: 'In these extreme temperatures, the sand on our beach would be far too hot for children to play in - and there's also a risk that the funfair rides' generators would over-heat. In the interests of our customers' wellbeing, and the safety of our staff, we have decided to close these attractions on Monday and Tuesday.
'While this extreme weather continues, we would advise people to seek out the shade. Weather permitting, we hope to reopen the city beach and the funfair on Wednesday, July 20.'
Officials from the NHS, councils in the city and county, Leicestershire Police and the fire service issued a joint statement on Friday to urge people to take basic precautions to ensure they and their loved ones remain healthy during the hot spell.
Their advice ranges from keeping out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, to drinking plenty of water and wearing light, loose-fitting cotton clothes.
However, they are also asking people to check on people who may be vulnerable, including babies, the elderly and people with serious health conditions.
Professor Ivan Browne, the city's director of public health, said: 'These high temperatures can have adverse health effects, so it's really important that people plan for the heat and consider changing their routines.
'Drink plenty of water, walk in the shade, avoid physical exertion in the hottest part of the day and try to avoid drinking alcohol, as this will make you more dehydrated. With a bit of common sense, we can stay safe in the heat.'
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