'Royal visit' test for frogmen

Police divers took part in the fictional security threat

A security threat to a royal visit is being used to test out the skills of police divers from across the country.

Half the underwater search teams in England were taking part in the exercise on the waterfront next to the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds.

The fake scenario involved suspicious activity ahead of a fictional visit by Prince Harry to the museum.

West Yorkshire Police hosted the annual training dive for underwater search units and army and navy personnel.

'Test response'

Six out of the 12 police diving units in England were involved in the exercise, including West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Humberside, Northumbria and Nottinghamshire.

Ch Supt Chris Hardern, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Every year these exercises bring together the underwater search units from north east police forces so that we can test our response to a high priority incident.

"It allows forces to share ideas and technique that could help in all manner of underwater search work".

Divers from the Royal Navy's bomb disposal were also there to share ideas.

David Wright, police diving and marine working group secretary, said: "Not many forces have units like this. The divers are police officers with diving capability, not divers with police skills.

"They also support neighbourhood response teams, conduct waterway patrols and are specialist entry teams."