An unusually large number of police officers were seen across Plymouth city centre last night, leaving many shoppers and workers wondering what was going on.
Plymouth Plus can now reveal that there is a simple explanation. An internal bulletin sent to Drake Circus tenants explains the Centre is hosting planned training exercises with Devon and Cornwall Police over the coming weeks.
The bulletin says the sessions will help the site security team train alongside officers and “further our collaboration with the Police in supporting the safety and security of us all at the Centre.”
The message to tenants reads:
"Over the next 5 weeks, we are hosting Devon & Cornwall Police in training exercises at the Centre.
"These will take place outside of trading hours (in the evenings after trade), will almost entirely be conducted in back of house areas, and should not be disruptive in any way to anything you or your teams are doing.
"It just might be a bit surprising to step out into your back corridor to see a number of Police officers walking past!"
While the exercises were designed to minimise disruption, many residents were caught off guard when they encountered the unusual scenes.
At this time the exact nature of the training exercise has not been confirmed, and Devon and Cornwall Police has been contacted for comment.
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