Poster; Shelter in Underground stations, unknown, 1940

A poster advising passengers that they are responsible for their own safety and belongings whilst sheltering in an underground station. This public information poster was issued by London Transport at the beginning of the Second World War. Copies would have been posted in the deep-level Underground stations where an estimated 63 million people sheltered during the war.
Although the government originally banned the use of the Underground for sheltering, it was estimated that 175,000 people continued to take nightly cover by simply buying a platform ticket and refusing to leave. It soon became apparent that the system had to be regulated rather than prohibited. Clearly defined rules and regulations were introduced to limit overcrowding and increase safety, and these were publicised through posters, leaflets and rulebooks. This poster reminds passengers that they are responsible for their own safety and belongings whilst sheltering in the station.