During 2007 I was sent down to Victoria Avenue to cover a police training exercise, where they had cordoned off an area containing four empty blocks of flats due for demolition. I learned they were holding a full-scale hostage situation and planned to make it as life-like as possible. I was assigned to an observing officer and unfortunately restricted by a list of rules. I couldn't shoot anything that would make the armed officers recognizable, and I was prevented from photographing any of the tactics used.

Police negotiators were communicating with a very angry and threatening terrorist holding people hostage in the building opposite. During the final assault, blank rounds, stun grenades, pyrotechnics and explosions outside the building were used, some of which were so powerful they shook the ground and were heard several miles away. A very unusual and exciting day!