Armed police to train on the streets of Weston

ARMED police will be taking part in operations around Weston-super-Mare this month.

Training exercises for firearm officers will take place on eight different dates throughout October.

They will target various locations such as the Sovereign Shopping Centre, the seafront and the train station.

The exercises are carried out in public to make the training more like real firearms incidents with members of the public and other obstacles nearby.

Police say their first operation was carried out on October 5 near Weston College in Lower Church Road.

Avon and Somerset Police superintendent for North Somerset Chris Weigold said the exercises were being staged to prepare officers for incidents.

He said: "This training is purely and simply about making our communities safer. 

“Whilst the number of incidents involving actual firearms is thankfully very low within North Somerset we have to be ever ready to respond whatever the circumstances. 

“This training puts officers into real situations in our communities so that they can practice the necessary tactics to ensure a safe conclusion. 

“Contrary to the many Hollywood films, a successful operation is one where a suspect is safely detained and the threat removed without injury to anyone.

“These exercises are conducted in partnership with the businesses involved to ensure a save working environment with control measures in place and no live ammunition will be used."