Exclusive access: Inside the rigorous training and testing of Army bomb squads

In the UK, tri-service Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists respond to an average eight callouts per day.

For the Armed Forces, its 'bomb squad' operators are constantly trained to be able to respond to a diverse range of potential explosives emergencies.

Forces News was granted exclusive access to their annual test exercise – which allows personnel to remain qualified and part of the team.

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Personnel from 11 EOD and Search Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, collectively respond to more than 2,500 call-outs annually.

"The best job in the Army, to be quite honest with you, it's the most satisfying job I've ever had since I've been in the Army for 15 years," Sergeant Ralston-Yarwood said of his role.

Each year, EOD specialists like Sgt Ralston-Yarwood are tested to ensure their skills are up to scratch.

"My office is never the same on any two days. One day I can be tasked out to North Wales dealing with an old World War Two shell, ranging to built-up urban environments where somebody has made an IED," he said.

With the Army's bomb squad remit being so wide and varied, it is important to constantly keep their training maintained.

The ITV drama Trigger Point, which depicts a fictional civilian bomb squad in the Metropolitan Police, has sparked renewed interest in the work of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams.

In real life, EOD operators face significant dangers and carry immense responsibilities.

During routine testing periods, it's common for these specialists to fail.

"We give these people explosives and tell them to use them on the streets of the United Kingdom. So, you know, fundamentally, we have a standard we need to see them meet," said Major Tom Murphy, Officer Commanding 521 EOD Sqn.

"And we had failures already this week. But that's not uncommon. And those failures, we treat them as learning opportunities, people go forward, we develop training plans."

These tests are part of the Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) response, under which EOD teams assist the police.

To ensure that EOD operators are properly certified and reliable, they must renew their licences annually.

This rigorous testing process reassures the Home Office and the police that EOD specialists are fully prepared to operate safely and effectively on UK streets under the MACA framework.

Trigger Point is available to watch on ITVX.