Police defend 'scary' drill

A POLICE training exercise near a city cemetery left residents thinking a real armed arrest was taking place before their eyes.

Around 15 officers took part in the exercise, which involved one of them pretending to be an armed criminal.

People living near the Mount Vernon cemetery at The Inch thought they were witnessing a genuine incident.

One resident was quoted saying: "It was pretty terrifying and looked like a real arrest was taking place."

A police spokewoman said: "It is essential that training is carried out in as realistic circumstances as possible and we thank the public for their tolerance and understanding."