AS a serving police officer from a visiting police force, I was deployed to the police cordons in Amesbury during the current major incident. These long hot days were very tiring both physically and mentally and being away from home added to the pressure.

Life was made that little bit easier by the community spirit of Amesbury residents – their generosity, kindness and understanding was fantastic, I cannot speak highly enough of them. Every day whilst on duty residents dropped by with drinks, biscuits, ice lollies, sweets, doughnuts, even a group of kind ladies dropping of a McDonald's breakfast meal for me on one occasion. One gentleman was a regular delivering and changed over ice packs in our cool boxes twice a day – how thoughtful was that?! All of this was greatly appreciated and still is by those still in situ. The Baptist Church minister of Amesbury, Barry Davis, was and still is a daily visitor to the cordons, offering thanks and support, which must also be an extremely difficult time for him too.

Wiltshire Police must also be thanked for their efficiency in police welfare during a challenging period, arranging food and drink for officers, we never went short. Having received a very minor injury on duty, it was swiftly arranged for me by a supervisor to attend Barcroft Medical Centre in Amesbury for assessment, again this all made life a little easier.

Thanks once again to the marvellous residents of both Amesbury and Salisbury which is proving to be a difficult year for them all. Be proud of yourselves.

MOD Police officer

Name and address supplied