Bermuda Regiment soldiers this weekend worked their way through a simulated riot in their most recent training exercise.

The exercise tasked soldiers to defend key locations in the Dockyard area while dealing with peaceful — and less peaceful — demonstrations.

Soldiers from the Junior NCOs cadre acted as criminals during the exercise, throwing missiles and petrol bombs at soldiers tasked with controlling outbreaks of violence.

Training Warrant Officer Sergeant Major Fred Oldenburg, who supervised the ‘rioters’ on the ground, added: “Some people thought it was a bit violent — but if you’re going to train, you’ve got to train hard.”

Commanding Officer Lt Col Brian Gonsalves said: “The Regiment has proved it can deal with a range of different challenges and respond appropriately to everything from a peaceful demonstration to having petrol bombs thrown at them.

“I’m confident we will be prepared to the highest standards should we ever be needed to support the civil power.”