A team of specially trained police officers and members of Wiltshire Search and Rescue (WILSAR) lined the former canal near Chippenham today.
From the A4 London Road – connecting the town with Calne – motorists would wrongly assume that a major incident was unfolding in the Pewsham countryside.
This morning, a number of Wiltshire 999s’ readers got in contact to make us aware of a large police presence outside the Platinum Hyundai showroom.
Several police vehicles, including two minibuses, a dog unit and WILSAR-branded 4×4, were parked at the site from 9am.
But locals can rest easy knowing that the operation is a pre-planned training exercise.
Wiltshire Police, working with WILSAR, were refreshing their waterside search and rescue techniques to ensure they are able to safely operate around water.
Today’s exercise took place on Bowood-owned land currently being managed by the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, who are working to restore the canal there.
Three more training sessions are due to take place between now and mid-March. Whilst essential exercises of this nature would usually involve more people and take place once, six smaller sessions are being held to help minimalise the spread of coronavirus.
Support WILSAR, a charity funded by you, by visiting wilsar.org.uk.
