the Women's Voluntary Service in May 1938. On 1 January 1938, the ' (1 & 2 Geo. 6. c. 6) came into force, compelling all local authorities to begin creating their own ARP services. Air raid shelters were distributed from 1938.

With the threat of war imminent in 1939, the Home Office issued dozens of leaflets advising people on how to protect themselves from the inevitable air war