A DRAMATIC armed raid involving a hostage and taking in towns across the county was the background for a Lancashire police exercise.

It ended in a "siege" in Accrington and tested the police's contingency plans .

Exercise Sandpiper involved the reconstruction of a serious robbery and kipnapping by a team of armed gangsters, resulting in a farmhouse siege in Accrington.

More than 50 officers were asked to follow procedures and bring the incident to a safe conclusion by setting all hostages free and arresting the criminals, while posing no danger to the public.

Detective Inspector Mike Kellet, who helped organise the exercise, said: "Officers knew an exercise was being planned but were not told when it would take place or what it would involve.

"It appears to have been a success. It has helped us improve procedures and will prevent mistakes in a real-life incident."

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