British police to copy Matrix self-defence moves

British police officers are being trained in a form of self-defence spectacularly employed by the star Keanu Reeves in hit action movie The Matrix, it was revealed today.

The Canadian developer of the Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response (SPEAR) course will later this month arrive in Britain to teach the unique skills to officers from 22 forces.

Tony Blauer’s technique inspired some of the astonishing action seen in the Hollywood’s 1999 science fiction blockbuster.

This week’s Police Review magazine said officers attending the course hosted by Warwickshire Constabulary will learn how to manage the psychological and physical effects of fear.

They will be taught how to turn defensive reactions - such as the urge to cover their eyes, face or other vital organs - into an ‘‘open-handed blow’’ to their assailant.

Pc Simon Rogers of Warwickshire’s firearms operations and training department told the magazine: ‘‘We do the Matrix Drill. You know the bit where Keanu Reeves stands still and just moves his body as the bullets fly past him?

‘‘This is what we teach officers to do to dodge and move and to keep their feet still.’’

Two sequels to The Matrix, which also starred Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving, are due to be released next year.