Police officers were today forced to smash their way into the back of an Audi after the driver left a dog in the back of the car despite scorching temperatures – as the nation prepares for  temperatures of 106F in (40C) its hottest day ever on Monday and and Tuesday.

At least six Hertfordshire Police officers were spotted surrounding the black Audi which was parked up in a car park in the centre of Stevenage. 

With temperatures reaching the 29C (84F), the dog was rescued at about 11.30am after officers smashed a rear window and reached into get the animal out of the boiling hot car.

It comes as a COBRA meeting is held today after a national emergency was declared over intense, record-breaking heat that is set to begin on Monday and stretch into Tuesday. 

The  has said the heat could put people’s lives at risk as it indicated it is likely that a new UK record temperature of 41C (106F) could be set on Monday and Tuesday. 

Temperatures will climb over the weekend, and the Met Office has issued an unprecedented red warning for the south of England on Monday and Tuesday , and an amber warning for heat covering much of England and Wales from Sunday until Tuesday.

Meteorologists gave an 80 per cent chance of the mercury topping the UK’s record temperature of 38.7C (101.7F) set in Cambridge in 2019, with the current heatwave set to peak on Tuesday.They say there s a 50% chance of temperatures passing 106F (40C) on Tuesday. 

David Stuckey, who lives in Stevenage, told MailOnline there was a crowd stood watching as the incident unfolded.

He said: link slot online ‘I was just walking back to my car and could see a large crowd of people who were stood there in disbelief.

‘Someone went shopping and left their dog inside the car in sweltering heat with no windows open. Everyone couldn’t believe it.

‘It happened at about 11.30am and it was already very warm but I don’t know how long the dog had been in the car.’

According to Met Office data, it was at least 22C at 1130am in Stevenage this morning.

The RSPCA warns that even at that temperature outside, the inside of a car could reach an ‘unbearable 47 degrees within an hour’ – temperatures which the animal charity describes as ‘very dangerous’ that would cause a dog ‘suffering and harm’.

Mr Stuckey said he was unsure on the breed of the dog or what condition it was in when police removed it from the car as officers were asking members of the public to keep their distance. 

Officers are permitted to smash a vehicle’s window if they believe a dog is in danger.

Police use a tool called a glass punch before removing the window usually with their baton to rescue the animal inside. 

The RSPCA says that, despite the common belief it is OK if windows are open or the car is in shade, dogs should never be left alone in vehicles during hot weather. 

As part of their Dogs Die In Hot Cars campaign, RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: ‘We know families love their pets and want to keep them close but, sometimes, it may be safer to leave your four-legged friends at home.

‘Dogs can suffer from heatstroke during hot weather and this can be extremely dangerous, and even prove fatal.

‘We’re calling on pet owners to put the welfare of their dogs first this summer.If you’re heading out and about then consider whether your pet may be happier in the cool at home, only walk them during the cooler hours of the day, and never leave your dog in a car unattended on a warm day.’

According to PDSA, it is not illegal as such to leave a dog in a hot car, but owners are legally responsible for their pet’s health and welfare.

If a dog became ill or sadly died due to being left in a hot car, owners could be charged with the offence of animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Hertfordshire Police and the RSPCA have been contacted for comment by MailOnline. 

The ‘danger to life’ red warning for heat was issued for the first time but Government health officials yesterday insisted there was no reason for schools or workplaces to close.

Bosses have also shot down the idea of Britons working from home to protect themselves – but many will face major disruption on their commute, with Network Rail advising passengers to ‘only travel if absolutely necessary’.

Expected extreme temperatures have prompted Londoners to be urged against travelling on Monday and Tuesday.

The Cabinet Office Minister Kit Malthouse is to chair a meeting of the Government’s Cobra civil contingencies committee today to discuss the impending heatwave, a Government spokesman said.

It will be the second Cobra meeting Mr Malthouse has led on the issue.

Thousands of people could die in the searing heat if the proper precautions aren’t taken, experts warned ahead of the heatwave.

Climate researchers have said the country could see as many as 2,000 deaths from just one period of heat.Two lesser heatwaves last year resulted in an estimated 1,600 excess deaths, according to official figures.

Transport for London (TfL) is advising passengers to only travel for ‘essential journeys’.

The firm’s chief operating officer Andy Lord said: ‘Due to the exceptionally hot weather that is expected next week, customers should only use London’s transport network for essential journeys.