Manchester bombing: 1,000 extra armed police officers deployed across UK as terror threat raised to critical

An extra 1,000 armed officers will patrol streets across the UK in the wake of the Manchester terror attack.

Mark Rowley, head of national Counter Terrorism Policing, made the announcement on Wednesday, just days after suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people as fans left an Ariana Grande gig.

The plans came as part of a nationwide anti-terrorism operation aimed at thwarting further attacks as the UK’s terror threat was raised to “critical” on Tuesday, meaning another incident could be imminent.

Some 3,800 military personnel could also be mobilised to support police within 12 to 96 hours of an atrocity taking place.

Troops were placed outside London’s iconic landmarks, including Westminster, in the days after the worst attack to hit the UK since the 7/7 bombings in the capital.

The Assistant Commissioner added that the increased threat level could see enhanced security checks at ports, airports and railway stations.

He said: “The public expects us to do everything we can to prevent further attacks and to protect them from harm. They will see increased police patrols in the coming days, while there will be more armed officers at key locations, transport hubs and crowded places to deter terrorists and reassure the public.

“We are grateful to the military who have enabled us to put even more police on the streets to protect the public at this time.”

Seven people, six men and a woman, have been arrested in connection with the attack as armed police raided addresses in Fallowfields, Nuneaton, Blackley and Wigan as police revealed they were investigating a "terror network" operating in the UK.

The bomber’s father and brother have also been detained by counter-terrorism forces in Libya.

Police have urged the public to report anything suspicious by calling 0800 789 321, or 999 in an emergency.