Scene Containment

As the Response Team we are expected to promptly arrive at 999 calls and contain the scene to ensure the safety of both officers and civilians in active situations. We do this by using gates, barriers, cones and signs to allow safe passage of emergency workers and discourage bystanders from entering active scenes that may put them in danger.

Scene Containment Handbook

The Basics

Your scene containment depends entirely on the type and location of the situation. If you are at Coke Asda or Burger Shot you would cordon off the store entries, make an entry/exit for PD and NHS and remember to only ever block one lane of traffic. Note stores like Little Seoul have petrol pumps so you should incorporate them into your scene containment too. However, larger scenarios like the Bank of England robberies require more scene containment and more officers, so good communication is key.

If you arrive at a scene with poor quality scene containment, you can politely find who placed it and recommend they have a refresher on their training to any ERPT member and offer to re-do it for that scene. Remember it takes practice!

To ensure high quality scene containment from all officers we should all aim to:

Use the small metal gate barriers for pavements.
Use the cones for roads.
Only ever block off one lane of traffic.
Always make an entry/exit point but stay close by to ensure civilians don’t enter.
Good use of cones and signs can help direct traffic and generally look better/more professional than long lines of gates.
Gazebos are part of NHS RP, not PD.
Listen out for the leading officer at scenes request for scene containment removal when finalising a situation.
Lights should be used when the situation is at a very dimmed area or its night time. this should help the officers on sight to have a good visual.
Make use of speed restrictions at every situation.

Scene Containment Examples

Simple Bank of England Containment

Simple Little Seoul Containment

Simple Pavement Containment

Tips & Tricks

Key bind your traffic menu by pasting ‘bind keyboard f9 "trafficmenu"’ into your F8 for quick and easy access.
Cones and signs are good ways to fill smaller spaces and gaps.
You should cordon off petrol pumps at store robberies to avoid them getting driven into.
Make use of speed restrictions to slow down traffic around the situation.
Trainers are there to help you! Don’t be afraid to ask them for advice.

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