Evacuation

[Tweed]

If for some reason the authorities wanted to evacuate a street (suspected bomb for example) and someone refused to leave their house, instead taking their chances at home, what would the authorities do. Would the police come around and break your door down and forcibly remove you? Would you be charged with anything?

[R1Geezer]

they'd leave them there, I don't think they can force you.

[redcrx]

i suppose if they person was mentally incapable of making the decision to move then authorities would take action. If of sound mind (can you really be of sound mind if you refuse to evacuate?) they would remain in their property. Though would they expect emergency services to help them if there were repercussions?

[dotty.]

it would be obstucting an officer who had been ordered to evacuate the street and so they could arrest you, thereby carrying out their duties

[New Judge]

But unfortunately, dotty, in order to support a charge of obstruction the officer has to be carrying out "lawful" duties. Forcing someone to leave their own home - even if it is for their own protection - is not lawful, so the charge could not be brought (or if it was,it would fail).

[Tweed]

Thanks for the answers folks. Just a hypothetical question.

[ChuckFickens]

I'm glad it was a hypothetical question, I was thinking you may have a policeman standing outside tying to evacuate you.