A TEAM of police officers with a head for heights are to test their skills at some of Yorkshire’s most iconic landmarks in preparation for the London Olympics.

Ten members of British Transport Police’s specialist policing at heights team will undergo two days of training at locations including York Minster this week.

The officers are tasked with dealing with searches and policing in areas such as the tops of high buildings and trains.

Trainer PC Roy Brewer said: “Over the past few years, there have been incidents in the north where the team have been required and were deployed from London, the most recent being the environmental protest at Drax power station.

“Following the protest, a north-based team has been set up and are currently training and gearing up towards assisting in the policing of the Olympics.

“They will be deployed to undertake a range of tasks where required, including searching at heights, protester removal and flash advertising removal. The training will mirror a real-life incident which they are likely to face, so it will provide them with a great opportunity to put their knowledge and specialist skills into action before they are faced with the real thing in July.”