BOATS exchanging drugs, suspect packages tossed overboard, a dramatic sea interception and police dog searches – that was the scene at Whitby yesterday.

But there was no cause for alarm as the activities were part of a training exercise for Project Kraken, a national campaign to prevent terrorist and criminal activity around the coastline.

North Yorkshire Police were joined by partners including the Border Force, the coastguard and the RNLI.

The exercise revolved around a smuggling scenario where items were passed between two vessels at sea.

Some of the items were thrown into the water and a dummy was used to simulate somebody jumping overboard to evade capture

Peter Wakefield, a North Yorkshire Police Ports Officer, said: “Exercises like this are really important in helping us to see how the different agencies interact in a “live” situation. It helps to make sure we are primed and ready if a real incident should occur.”

New Project Kraken signs are also being installed along the coastline offering help and advice to people visiting with suicidal intentions.