Police trained for summit threats

Police officers from forces across the country have been trained to deal with ballistic threats and blast bombs ahead of the G8 summit and protests surrounding the event.

Full details of the drills that have been carried out since Christmas have now been revealed, including teaching officers how to operate when water cannon and baton rounds are used.

Around 3,600 police from forces across Britain are being sent over to Northern Ireland to help with the massive security operation surrounding the summit, taking place later this month in Fermanagh.

Of these, 2,900 have been given specialist training so that they are prepared for tactics and equipment used in Northern Ireland but not on the mainland.

More than 700 officers have been trained to drive armoured vehicles, and public order teams will wear heavier ballistic body armour and use larger riot shields

Chief Superintendent Kevin Dunwoody, who is head of training for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said: "We've run a series of public order deployment-ready sessions to get people ready.

"Every one of the officers who have come here are already trained and experienced in public order, but we're giving them some of the tactical options that we have in Northern Ireland that wouldn't be available to them here."

Each unit coming from Great Britain will be accompanied by a number of PSNI officers, who are routinely armed.

Mr Dunwoody said: "We are giving them a feel of the operational context. The big thing about policing in Northern Ireland is that we rely heavily on community policing. The impression that the officers from GB leave will remain long after they have gone.

"There is no feeling that we are carrying the mutual aid officers. Every one of the officers is trained and experienced."