Local emergency crews, including a Swanage lifeboat team, joined a huge anti terrorist training exercise aboard a cross channel ferry in Poole Harbour in Dorset, after a simulated attack on the Clipper.
Brittany Ferries allowed two days of ‘live play’ training on the Commodore Clipper – which has often been seen sailing across Swanage Bay – to test how blue light services would respond to a worst case scenario of a ferry being hijacked by terrorists.
Local people played the roles of passengers on the hijacked ferry
Dramatic scenario on the Clipper
The exercise involved several hundred people at the Port of Poole, including many from Purbeck, and was coordinated by Counter Terrorism Policing South West with support from fire, ambulance and coastguard services.
The dramatic scenario saw gunmen opening fire on passengers, taking the ship’s captain hostage and capturing civilians on several decks of the Clipper, as emergency services tested how they would respond to a major terror incident at sea and in port.
A crew from Swanage RNLI joined Exercise Leopardite on the first day and spokesperson Becky Mack said:
“Swanage Lifeboat Station was fortunate enough to be invited to get involved alongside other emergency services, as the exercise took place in our local area.”
Dorset Police said the training days, held on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th January 2026, was not linked to any specific intelligence or threat but formed part of a national programme of training to ensure police and partner agencies are ready for any worst case scenario.
Counter terrorism firearms officers, hostage negotiators, paramedics and firefighters were scrambled after a simulated alert from HM Coastguard at 9 am on Wednesday, reporting that militants had attacked a ferry crossing from France to Poole with around 300 passengers on board.
Members of the emergency services are briefed on their roles aboard the Commodore Clipper
Coastguard helicopter circled overhead
A coastguard helicopter circled overhead as armed officers boarded the ship via a shore ramp, moving through vehicle decks, cabins, seating areas and the canteen in search of attackers and casualties.
Volunteers playing the part of passengers lay motionless to represent fatalities, while others acted as wounded and traumatised hostages.
One team of officers was guided by crew to the bridge, where the captain had been taken captive. Officers forced entry, neutralised the hostage-taker and freed the captain, who told them he had been held for around 45 minutes.
Elsewhere, police cleared locked cabin corridors using key cards and rescued a woman with a simulated stab wound after confronting a gunman holding her hostage.
Armed police moved from deck to deck to find the ‘hijackers’ and rescue passengers
Six role players acted as ‘terrorists’
The most tense moment came when two militants barricaded themselves with around 20 passengers and demanded to speak to negotiators, threatening to kill the hostages.
After talks broke down, armed officers stormed the room, shooting the terrorists and freeing the hostages – but only after crucially making sure that no other hijacker was hiding among them.
In total, six role players acted as terrorists, being ‘killed’ or ‘arrested’ as part of the exercise, while many of the passengers were local volunteers, including teenagers and older residents, with the Clipper crew being actual ferry staff.
Dorset Police, South Western Ambulance Service, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, local coastguard teams, Poole Harbour Commissioners and Brittany Ferries all played their part in the large scale operation.
Counter terrorism firearms officers led the operation in the Port of Poole
“Crucial way of testing response”
Regional Assistant Chief Constable Andy Hill, speaking on behalf of Counter Terrorism Policing South West, said:
“Exercises like this take place regularly across all emergency services and are a crucial way of testing the response that would be required in the event of a major incident such as a terrorist attack.
“Not only do exercises help us all understand each other’s roles, they also provide an opportunity to identify learning, which can then be adopted to strengthen our response and ensure we provide the best possible protection to our communities.
“Counter Terrorism Policing constantly monitors and reviews the plans and measures in place so that we and our partners are ready to respond in the most effective way, should the worst happen.
“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone involved in pulling the exercise at the Port of Poole together, along with those who took part.”
Dorset Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Steve Lyne pictured right in 2025, when he took delivery of two new boats to patrol the Purbeck coast
“Protecting the public”
Dorset Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Steve Lyne said:
“We were delighted to host the exercise here in Dorset and work with our partners across the region and beyond.
“This type of training is an integral part of policing and ensures we deliver an immediate and robust response to a major incident with our partners.
“Simply put, this is about protecting the public with a strong and dynamic response that helps us to protect life.
“I would like to personally thank everyone who was involved to make this exercise possible.”
One of Dorset’s new police boats Invictus, an 11 metre Ultimate Boats tactical rib, took part in the exercise
National counter terrorism exercise
Captain Brian Murphy, chief executive officer of Poole Harbour Commissioners, said:
“Poole Harbour Commissioners was pleased to support the delivery of this national counter terrorism exercise.
“Hosting an exercise of this scale enabled partners to test coordination, communication, preparedness and response arrangements in a live port environment, while ensuring the continued safety of passengers, staff and harbour users.”
Local civilians played the part of injured victims during the exercise, with plenty of fake blood
“Safety and security of passengers”
And Jo Bussell, Brittany Ferries’ director of UK Ports added:
“Taking part in training exercises supports our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our passengers and crew members.”
The UK terror threat level remains at ‘substantial’, meaning an attack is considered likely.
Police continue to urge the public to report anything suspicious via the Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321 or online at gov.uk/ACT
