Police officers guide to arresting a witch.

The PC's guide to arresting a witch: It's normal for people to be naked, bound and blindfolded and whatever you do, don't touch their book of spells

By REBECCA CAMBER
Last updated at 11:00 PM on 31st October 2010

When out pounding the beat for a spell, a policeman never knows when he might bump into a witch.

So it’s best to be prepared – with a 300-page guide which includes instructions on how to deal with members of the pagan community.

The Metropolitan Police has produced a diversity handbook offering officers a range of dos and don’ts when it comes to followers of a range of religions and beliefs, from atheism to Zoroastrianism, druidry and shamanism.

Spooky: Witches dress up for Halloween night. Many are vegetarian, according to the police guide

They are advised to avoid touching a witch’s Book of Shadows, or spellbook, and handling the ceremonial dagger known as an athame.

Police are also advised not necessarily to panic if they encounter a person in the nude with hands tied together. The guide states: ‘Some ceremonies include a blindfolded, naked participant, whose hands may be bound.

‘This is in accordance with ritual and has the full consent of the participant.’

On witchcraft, officers are told: ‘Witches have a Book of Shadows, which contains a handwritten record or diary of their personal progress as a witch.

‘Often the books have ornate covers, some have the title Book of Shadows on the cover, some don’t. Any book can be used, but this book is regarded as private and special and should not be touched by anyone but the author. 

‘If it is possible to avoid touching this book then it is best to do so. When entering a witch’s home do not touch an athame without the owner’s permission.’ 

The manual warns officers they may particularly encounter worshippers armed with ceremonial daggers on April 30 and May 1 during Beltane, a fire festival which sees pagan and wicca worshippers celebrate the sun god.

Ghoulish: Police officers have been told not to touch a witch's book of spells or their ornamental dagger

Ritual: A reveler plays a drum beside a burning skull during a pagan festival

It goes on: ‘During the Beltane Bash that celebrates the festival of Beltane, it has become a custom for some to wear athames in various sizes, sometimes sword size, on a belt, as a visible symbol of their pagan faith and to wear them in the streets.

‘These are not intended to be used as an offensive weapon but might be misinterpreted as such.’

The guide, which is available for officers on the Met’s internal website, also provides a glossary of pagan terms including the traditional greeting of ‘merry meet’ and an explanation of a ‘wickening’, or child naming ceremony. 

It explains the dates and significance of pagan festivals such as Imbolc, Lughnasadh and Samhain – also known as Hallowe’en.

It states: ‘Pagans have no religious dietary laws. However, many, though not all, witches are vegetarians.’

The guide also provides instructions on how to communicate with another little-understood section of the community – teenagers.

It explains slang such as ‘Talk to the hand ’cos the face is in Spain’ means ‘I am not listening’, while ‘da bomb’ means great or excellent.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘It’s a resource officers can refer to should they need to but it’s not required reading.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1325283/The-PCs-guide-arresting-witch-Its-normal-people-naked-bound-blindfolded-dont-touch-book-spells.html#ixzz13zO202ua