Police have been encouraging Loughborough College students to launch an ‘attack’ - as part of a public order training programme.
The Public Services students turned violent crowd and took up weapons to help put Northamptonshire Police through their paces.
Running battles took place with Loughborough College students at the heart of the action at Leicestershire Police’s Public Order Training facility in Enderby.
“Our students acted as a violent crowd and attacked officers with a variety of missiles in an hour long running battle.
“They also acted as opposing football fans while officers kept them apart using a loose cordon,” said Loughborough College Public Services lecturer Anthony Louch.
“Our students also got to see tactics used by the police to enter buildings whilst under attack and how to deal with violent individuals armed with weapons such as baseball bats.
“They were joined at one point by the Deputy Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police who commented on the professionalism of our students and they said afterwards how impressed they had been by the participating officers, who had remained polite but firm despite being under great duress.
“Exercises like this show the students why discipline, teamwork, leadership and restraint are all key factors of police work and not only reinforce what we are teaching them in the classroom but are also great motivators for their learning.”
“We’re already planning further training, which really helps strengthen Loughborough College’s links with Leicestershire Police and also East Midlands Collaborative Human Resources Learning and Development (EMCHRS L&D).”