Police officers battle through a hail of bricks and petrol bombs as they confront a group of rioters.
The officers, who are dressed in full, head-to-toe riot gear, ward off the missiles with their shields and stride through the flames and smoke unscathed.
This is a training exercise and the bricks, blocks of wood and petrol bombs are being thrown by trained police officers.
It is an uncomfortable routine hundreds of Leicestershire officers go through once a year if they are to remain part of the force's public order unit.
In many ways, these officers are preparing for a scenario they hope they never encounter, but some have faced the real thing.
Pc Lee Robinson is based at Wigston police station and works on the beat in South Wigston.
Speaking at the end of his annual four-day refresher course – which he has completed nine times in the past nine years – he said: "It is frightening going into a situation where people are throwing bricks or petrol bombs at you.
"I did it in Northern Ireland when I was in the Army and I have been involved in policing protests where people were throwing missiles at us.
"But you don't really have time to think about it at the time. You are working as part of a team and you are looking out for the people on the left and right of you.
"This is essential training for modern policing. It gives confidence in your kit, whether it's the armour or the flameproof clothing."
More than a decade ago, Leicestershire sent officers to assist colleagues dealing with riots in Bradford, where petrol bombs were thrown at police lines. More recently, officers spent days in London and the surrounding area assisting the Metropolitan Police during the riots of summer 2011.
Some were also involved in the disturbances which broke out in Leicester city centre that summer, while others were present during the two recent city centre protests by the English Defence League.
Public order trained officers also routinely work on football match-days and during larger community events.
Chief Constable Simon Cole yesterday officially unveiled the training ground, which has been under development for a couple of years.
Now complete, it has been created at a cost of £138,000 and is helping the force save money at a time of public spending cuts.
The 600sq m area, which is constructed of old shipping containers, is suitable for scenarios including riots or hostage negotiations and can also be used for firearms and dogs training.
It is an alternative to sending officers to specialist facilities elsewhere in the country, which cost the force an estimated £50,000 a year until now.
It also expects it to bring in extra money as other forces have indicated they will pay to use it for their training.
Chief Constable Simon Cole said: "The new facility comes at a time when UK police forces are looking for opportunities to reduce overheads and become income-generating and entrepreneurial."
