The Outcome for Britain of the Food Shortages of 1917

This book has shown how the British police demonstrated patriotism by acting in or against the aims of the state. The release of policemenPolicemen into agriculture from early 1917 was approved service under the Police Acts operating in England and Scotland. It occurred after Britain had been at war for more than 2 years, experiencing huge loss of life in battle and food insecurity at home. Their release from police work across Britain was welcomed by farmersFarmers and helped to enforce Board of Agriculture policies devolved locally. It also made them less visible on the streets, where patriotismPatriotism dictated that only men over military ageMilitary age should be on patrol. The police acted as first respondersFirst responders in the threatened national crisisNational crisis of population starvationStarvation. Although the increase in crops to feed the nation was small in 1917, the large increase in 1918 was impressive. Police help for agriculture was endorsed by Prime Minister Lloyd GeorgeGeorge, Lloyd who said the war was won on the basis of food: “the food question ultimately decided the issue of this war.” The release of the police as first responders in a recent period is considered as an historical continuity.