POLICE officers will be out in force in Newton Abbot shortly, but the public needn't fear a major incident is on the go.

Up to 40 officers will be involved in an exercise on Thursday in the hunt for a missing person.

The exercise is part of an assessment day which will take place in Bradley Manor for officers who have completed specialist training.

The course is the Lost Person Search Manager.

When a person is reported missing to the public and there is a high risk of serious injury or a fatality, a manager is appointed to take charge of the search.

Their role is to co-ordinate the search, task units on the ground and liaise with other agencies such as Dartmoor Rescue group, firefighters, ambulance and coastguards.