The public services can only deal with such events as they happen and planning is more a less the key today as all public services have plans in which to deal with such situations
Sea pollution
In the last 10 years the amount of litter around the UK coastline has doubled. 80% of that comes from the land, rubbish that hasn't been properly dealt with. Not only this but Fishermen are often blamed for throwing broken nets and rope over the side of boats which marine life can get tangled and trapped in. Substances like oil and paint also harm sea-life. Crude oil from tanker accidents account for around 12% of petroleum hydrocarbons released into the oceans every year. As seas have no barriers, pollutants like oil can spread very quickly to different waters around the world. This was the case when the Sea Empress spilled 72,000 tonnes of oil over 120 miles of welsh coastline in 1996 and the public services had to react in numerous was especially the fire and army in clean up operations. This has also lead a more in depth disaster planning
Land pollution
The police and local authorities tackle land pollution in two different ways but with the same objective- they issue penalty notices. Police hand out £50 on the spot fines to anyone caught littering and the council not only do the same but they can also issue up to a £1000 fines for fly tipping. A resent case of such a fine is were a man was fined £50 from his local authority for throwing away a letter it was traced back to him because his name and address was still attached.
Meteor logical problems
Flooding
This can be seen in the recent flooding of North Cornwall were all four public services had to work together (Police, Fire, Ambulance and Army) in evacuating local residents and also trying to asses the damage so that rebuilding could take place.
Heat waves
This is often a huge problem that effect young children and OAPs the higher temperatures that we have become prone to due to global warming means that the people at risk become exposed to heat strokes and this can put a strain on the NHS which means the department of health often publish advice during the summer periods about the best ways to avoid becoming a victim this can be seen in last years summer period where some of the highest records were recorded. During this period the fire service can become overstretched as derelict buildings and woodland areas also become prone of extreme heat.
Social problems
- Graffiti
- Freedom of expression
- Vandalism
Freedom of expression
This can be seen as a changing issue because we have the right to express what we believe in and this can be seen in recent protests about the profit Mohammed drawings where demonstrators protested in London. Although police had to deal with this situation sensitively it was recently reported in the media how a number of protesters were arrested for inciting hate and encouraging murder.
Vandalism and Graffiti
Today this can be tackled in a number of ways and not only buy the police. Multi agency partnerships with local councils and community wardens (PCSO and local rangers/wardens) can normally be of a great benefit cause in the past diversion techniques have been used such as the Safe Style UK concept in south Yorkshire aimed at keeping people occupied and in effect keeping them out of triouble.