BULFORD-BASED soldiers from the 3rd Royal Signal Regiment got a taste of modern day policing when they visited Wiltshire Police Headquarters in Devizes.

The 16 soldiers, most of who are either about to be promoted to Lance Corporal or Corporal, were invited to force HQ on September 22 as part of the army's Exercise KIWI LEADER.

The exercise looked at the roles the Army undertakes alongside other government agencies and the uniformed services.

Staff Sergeant Craig Bate, who lead the group visit, said: "This exercise has been designed to broaden the soldiers' knowledge and experience. This visit helped them gain an in depth education in to the different departments that come together to provide the Police service they see on the streets every day."

During the visit they had presentations from the dog handling unit, armed response officers and Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

PC Ian Cooke, from Wiltshire Police's Military Community Policing Team, who helped organise the visit said: "This was also a very good opportunity to strengthen our good links with the military.

"With tightened security being vital in this day and age a good relationship between the police and army, where we work together to prevent incidents of suspicious behaviour, is vital.

"Also with a large influx of soldiers and their families coming into the south of the county by 2018, it is important for us to engage with the military especially as it will form a large part of the overall population of South Wiltshire in the next three years."