A second-lieutenant patrols the streets of Al Amarah accompanied by local children, July 2004

Digital photograph taken by Warrant Officer 2nd Class Giles Penfound, Army Media Operations, Operation TELIC, 6 July 2004.

Troops from 'Y' Company 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) carry out a 'Soft Patrol' (no helmets and no armoured vehicles) of the Souk in Al Amarah.

The 'Soft Patrol' is a tactical measure used in counter-insurgency and peace-keeping operations where winning the 'hearts and minds' of local people is regarded as vital. Patrolling in such a way helps maintain security in an authoritative but relatively non-threatening manner.