Exercise Obtundity: Emergency services in York Minster anti-terror op

Emergency services have taken part in a major anti-terror exercise at York Minster.

The operation, which involved police, fire crews and ambulance staff, aimed to test the response of blue-light services to a potential terror attack.

Exercise Obtundity on Monday night simulated an acid attack, knife attack and siege inside the minster.

Ch Insp Mick Roffe of North Yorkshire Police said emergency services had to be prepared for the worst.

The force said major public venues were expected to carry out security reviews following the Manchester Arena bombing inquiry.

The attack on 22 May 2017 killed 22 people.

Mr Roffe said: "We've been pushed as blue-light services to train for those eventualities and prepare in this way.

"We need to create these exercises so we can come together and prepare for that terrible day, if it does happen."

The exercise involved around 300 volunteers from across Yorkshire and saw roads closed across the city centre.

The minster's chief operating officer, David Colthup, said: "We take seriously our responsibility, and work very hard, to ensure that those who visit and worship at York Minster feel safe and will be safe.

"The same applies to all our staff and our many volunteers.

"We are really grateful for the patience of all our neighbours - residents and businesses - for any disruption they may have experienced during the exercise.

"I hope they feel reassured that we are better prepared to deal with every eventuality."

Earlier this month, road closure signs mentioning Exercise Obtundity caused light-hearted bewilderment across York, with local residents unsure what the obscure word meant.

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