Editor’s note:

This training points to the militarization of law enforcement in the UK. Does it bear a relation to potential social unrest and the unfolding economic and social crisis.

Police officers from forces across the South West are to receive training to prepare them for riots.

Police horses, dogs and a helicopter will be used to add realism during the two-day courses at Moreton-in-Marsh Fire College, Gloucestershire.

Some officers will take on the role of hostile crowds in real-life scenarios such as raves, demonstrations and disorder at football matches.

Missiles and petrol bombs will be thrown as part of the training.

Officers attending the training will come from Gloucestershire; Dorset; Wiltshire; Avon & Somerset; and Devon & Cornwall Constabularies.

Inspector Mac McGarry, of Gloucestershire Constabulary Operational Services, said: “These are very important and impactive sessions because it is essential all officers allocated to the Public Disorder Unit experience the sort of difficulties they will encounter in real-life situations.

“It also gives us the chance to test the command structure we have in place and the inter-operability with other forces.”