A team of soldiers joined forces with police officers as part of a massive safety and security operation at Cup Match.

Eight Royal Bermuda Regiment troops were deployed alongside the Bermuda Police Service to patrol St George’s Cricket Club, during the match.

Private Keno Fox, 27, from St George’s, said: “It’s been great. The atmosphere is electric — St George’s is trying to prove itself this year.”

The kitchen porter at The Loren at Pink Beach in Tucker’s Town, added: “I have worked with police a lot and we’re all trying to enjoy ourselves while doing our job to keep everything safe.

“It’s a family event, so it’s important to interact with people.”

Private Kirk Wilks, who works for a family catering company, said: “It good to see people celebrate and see people I haven’t seen in a while. It’s a good atmosphere.

The 20-year-old from Devonshire added: “The police are cool and it’s something different for me.”

Private Shanday Tannock, 23, a childcare worker from Sandys, said: “It’s lovely. You can’t complain. It’s a bit hot, but we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do.

“I’ve never done Cup Match before, but I have worked with the police previously. It opens your eyes a little bit more and helps you to understand all the work that goes on behind the scenes.”

She added: “The crowds are friendly, but if you have a happy, jolly face, and your tone of voice is good, everything goes well.”

Lance Corporal O’Neil Nelson, 43, a barber from Somerset, said: “It’s been nice. It’s very relaxed and civilised and I’m enjoying working with the police. It’s a pleasure.”

Inspector Kuhn Evans, the BPS bronze commander at the ground, welcomed the green addition to the thin blue line.

He said: “It’s very useful because they will know people we don’t and they have that interaction.

“We don’t have the manpower we used to have, so they’re valuable extra resources.”

“It’s also advertising for people to join up because they are very visible.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Curley, the RBR’s commanding officer, visited the match with Regimental Sergeant Major Jason Harrell, and walked around the ground with Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley.

Colonel Curley said: “Things have gone extremely well. We have made a commitment to support the Bermuda Police Service and we will have joint operations on land and sea right over the Cup Match weekend.”