Roads closed for city-centre attack-response rehearsal

Police and other emergency services from across West Yorkshire took part in the large-scale exercise, part of a series nationwide, aimed at ensuring cities are prepared in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack.

Leeds City Council also took part in the training, which was based on how to decontaminate people affected by such an incident and how to care for them.

Police chiefs said yesterday’s training exercise was not a planned response to any specific threat but to ensure they were adequately prepared.

Chief Supt Christopher Hardern, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “Training exercises like this provide a valuable opportunity for the emergency services and other agencies across West Yorkshire to refine our ability to deal with a major incident.

“I understand that it may be concerning to see a large number of emergency services vehicles in the centre of Leeds but I want to reassure people this exercise is not in response to any perceived threat but is about making sure the city is best prepared for any type of emergency.”