Police get nuclear training

Officers from Jersey and Guernsey have been trained

Police officers in the Channel Islands have been undergoing training to deal with a possible chemical, biological or nuclear emergency.

A week of special courses in Guernsey has been preparing officers for a real crisis.

Police officers have been in full protective clothing, including gas masks, practising using Geiger counters and decontaminating people and buildings.

Guernsey officers have been joined on the course by colleagues from Jersey.

Secret locations

It follows a UK recommendation that police forces must have the capability of responding to any incident involving hazardous and life-threatening materials.

The locations of the training have been kept secret to prevent people from turning up to watch.

The courses come after a UK recommendation

Inspector Mike Brown, who is in charge of special operations for Guernsey Police, said the sessions are not intended to alarm islanders but to ensure officers are prepared for any scenario.

He said: "To do nothing is not really an option in this day and age. You need to be ready for every eventuality.

"There is no specific threat, we don't want to start any scaremongering, but we do need to be prepared.

He said the Channel Islands have some very strong links which need to be protected.

"There are all sorts of international organisations based within the Channel Islands, there are cruise ships and tourists coming backwards and forwards, and we are a gateway between Europe and England."