SINGAPORE - A counter-terrorism exercise was held for the first time at the State Courts on Thursday (Dec 7) at noon.

In a statement on Thursday, the police said that the simulated terrorist attack was to test the coordination between the polic and the State Courts in emergencies.

The exercise scenario began with two gunmen walking into the building and shooting at the crowd.

Auxiliary Police Officers and State Courts staff were seen containing the situation, before officers from the Emergency Response Team and Bukit Merah East neighbourhood police centre arrived.

The officers were able to locate and take down the gunmen within minutes.

Earlier on Thursday, the police posted an advisory on the exercise on its Facebook page.

"Exercise in progress" signage will be displayed at and around the exercise areas, and blanks will be fired, it said.

In the statement, a State Courts spokesman said it has partnered with the Home Team to conduct the counter-terrorism exercise "to help raise the level of awareness and vigilance of our staff, and to coordinate the response plans of court security, police and other stakeholders".

The police urged all premise owners to review their response plan and enhance e the readiness of staff in dealing with an attack.