Hampshire Police Launch Dramatic Isle of Wight Ferry Hijack Drill
Hampshire police staged a high-octane hijack simulation on an Isle of Wight ferry sailing through the Solent on Saturday. The exercise, involving over 40 officers plus fire, ambulance, and coastguard teams, tested emergency response to a potential terror attack.
Hostage Crisis Scenario Ahead of Busy Music Festival
The drill imagined terrorists hijacking the passenger ferry and taking hostages to carry out an attack. A police source revealed: “It was designed to test the response and command and control protocols of emergency services in dealing with this type of situation in a marine environment, in collaboration with maritime partners.”
The practice comes just a week before 40,000 music fans flood the Isle of Wight for the 2022 Festival, ramping up security concerns.
Armed Officers Storm Ferry in Exclusive Footage
With Britain’s terrorism threat level at “SUBSTANTIAL” — meaning an attack is considered likely — armed officers charged onboard from fast response boats while the ferry cruised between Portsmouth and Fishbourne.
Exclusive shots show police with rifles boarding the vehicle deck mid-journey, demonstrating Hampshire’s readiness to respond swiftly should real danger strike.
No Specific Threat, Just Critical Preparedness
The serving officer stressed the exercise wasn’t prompted by any particular intelligence but based on an independent review of security measures across the Solent maritime area.
Hampshire Police have yet to comment officially on the drill, but the clear message is one of vigilance as thousands prepare to descend on the island for one of the UK’s biggest summer festivals.
