Manchester bombing triggers security crackdown with soldiers scrambled to patrol Westminster as they join armed cops in race to foil ‘imminent’ second terror attack
SOLDIERS have been scrambled to join armed cops patrolling Britain's streets today as they race to foil more terror attacks.
A total of 984 troops carrying guns are being ferried out to join police officers as the terror threat has been raised to the highest possible level in a decade - critical - meaning an attack is now “expected imminently”.
Troops have joined cops guarding London, taking over many of the sentry boxes at Parliament from police for the first time since World War Two.
About 30 soldiers were seen walking into the grounds through the St Stephen's Entrance to create a ring of steel around The Palace Westminster, which was put into lockdown with public tours barred and official functions axed.
PM Theresa May announced soldiers were also being sent to Downing Street, embassies and Buckingham Palace — where yesterday’s Changing of the Guard ceremony was called off.
It will be the first time since 2003 that troops are deployed on the country's streets, and the first time Britain has been on maximum terrorist alert since 2007.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said the soldiers were being sent to back up cops “at the request of the police”.
He said: “We moved swiftly to deploy nearly 1,000 Armed Forces personnel from across the Army, Navy and RAF.”
They included Paras, Irish Guards and Royal Artillery troops, tasked with “basic static guarding duties” at key sites such as tourist landmarks.
He explained: “This is freeing up an extra 1,000 armed police officers to patrol the streets and protect the public.”
“If they do want troops out there on patrol with them, in our town centres, our railway stations, at sporting events, we are ready to help.
“We have troops trained to do that.”
Another 5,000 Forces personnel are on standby, with Amber Rudd claiming they are ready to be called upon should counties across the country wish to have them man the streets in their communities.
A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "The decision has been taken in order to release the police who would otherwise be dealing with the road closures."
At Heathrow yesterday everyone entering Terminal 5 was made to pass through new scanners that had been installed overnight. Extra armed police were on patrol there and throughout the rest of the airport.
Police chiefs have yet to decide if soldiers will be on guard at Wembley for Saturday’s FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea.
Chelsea were due to stage a victory parade on Sunday to mark them winning the Premier League but have cancelled it following the brutal slayings on Monday night.
Other events where security was being beefed up — thanks to more armed cops being available — included this week’s Chelsea Flower Show.
The troops were deployed as:
- The Sun has launched 'Together With Manchester' appeal and donated £100,000 to get it going
- At least 22 people died and a further 64 were injured, with 20 still "critical"
- Terrorist named as British-born Salman Abedi, 22, who was "known to MI5"
- Home Secretary Amber Rudd said it's "likely" Abedi "was not doing this on his own"
- Cops raided two addresses and arrested Abedi's brother Ismail, 23, yesterday
- Three more men have been arrested across the city this morning
- Police confirmed a fifth arrest was made later yesterday in Wigan
- Heavily armed soldiers wearing gas masks raided a Manchester city centre flat hours after the three men were arrested on Wednesday
- French interior minister said bomber is believed to have travelled to Syria and had "proven" links with Isis
- Theresa May raised the UK threat level to "critical"
- The Government has ordered up to 3,800 troops on the streets to support the police with 989 deployed by midday
- Victims included an eight-year-old girl, an aunt who shielded her niece from blast and an off-duty police officer
- The Queen praised the people of Manchester for their compassion
- Ariana Grande's concerts in London on Thursday and Friday have not yet been postponed or cancelled
- On Wednesday afternoon police were said to be hunting a bomb maker and the Chief Constable of GMP confirmed officers are investigating "a network"
The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Ian Hopkins, said in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon there are no military personnel on the streets of Manchester.
He added there are no plans for there to be - as the soldiers deployed elsewhere had allowed more officers to support those working in Manchester following the attack.
He added: "I think it is very clear that this is a network that we are investigating and it continues at a pace."
Theresa May said of the terror fears: “It is a possibility we cannot ignore that there is a wider group of individuals linked to this attack.”
Investigators believe British-born bomber Salman Abedi, 22, may be part of a wider network of ISIS-inspired terrorists which includes a bomb-maker.
Special Forces have already been deployed to Manchester to help in the hunt for accomplices of Abedi, who murdered 22 concert-goers at the Manchester Arena in Britain’s worst terrorist atrocity for 12 years.
Mrs May acted on the advice of the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre after chairing two meetings of the Cobra emergency committee.
In a live address late on Tuesday, she said: "The change in the threat level means that there will be additional resources and support made available to the police as they work to keep us all safe.
"As a result of [the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre's] decision the police have asked for authorisation from the Secretary of State for Defence to deploy a number of armed military personnel in support of their armed officers.
"This request is part of a well-established plan known as Operation Temperer in which both the armed forces and the police officers involved are well-trained and well-prepared to work in this kind of environment.
"The Secretary of State for Defence has approved this request and Operation Temperer is now in force.
"This means that armed police officers responsible for duties such as guarding key sites will be replaced by members of the armed forces, which will allow the police to significantly increase the number of armed officers on patrol in key locations.
"You might also see military personnel deployed at certain events such as concerts and sports matches, helping the police to keep the public safe.
"In all circumstances, members of the armed forces who are deployed in this way will be under the command of police officers."
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Armed cops are already patrolling cities across the UK following the attack at the Ariana Grande concert, with the public also urged to remain vigilant.
In Edinburgh, armed cops are patrolling the streets close to Waverley Train station.
They are also being scrambled to the Scottish Cup Final clash in Glasgow on Saturday in the wake of the terror attack.
Officers carrying guns in Newcastle were seen patrolling shopping centres yesterday as Northumbria Police reassured the public they were not anticipating any specific threat.
A spokesperson for the force said: “The national threat level currently remains at ‘severe’ and there is nothing to suggest there is any specific threat to our communities in Northumbria.
“Extra patrols will be on patrol, including armed officers, in high footfalls areas such as the city centres and around transport hubs as they have done since last year.
“Members of the public should not be concerned about the patrols, they are not in response to any specific threat but are there to reassure members of the public of the security measures we have in place to help protect them and keep them safe.”
Security was also heightened in London yesterday as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, Cressida Dick, said extra officers would be in place "for as long as is needed".
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said Londoners would "see more police on our streets".
The capital has already been on high alert following the Westminster terror attack two months ago that saw four people die.
Ms Dick, Britain's most senior police officer, said the extra armed and unarmed officers in London "are there to reassure".
She said: “This is an utterly appalling attack. My thoughts are with the people of Manchester as they try to come to terms with the horrific events that took place in their city.
"Our colleagues from Greater Manchester Police and their emergency services showed huge bravery as they ran towards the confusion and danger.
“We are providing every possible support through the counter terrorism network as investigators work tirelessly to understand what has happened.
“Here in the Capital we put extra police officers on duty as Londoners started their journeys into work. This will continue for as long as it is needed, and the mix of armed and unarmed officers are there to reassure.
“Looking ahead to the weekend - a normal busy and vibrant weekend in our city - we are working with all those planning events to make sure we are doing all we can.
“Terrorists seek to spread fear and undermine our way of life. We must work together to stop that from happening. If you have suspicions, tell us; if you see something that concerns you, report it. Together we can protect London.”
The Met Police have also flown the flag at half-mast over New Scotland yard as a sign of support.
The Chief Constable of West Midlands Police David Thompson, who served in every rank at GMP before moving to his current post, also urged the public to remain vigilant.
He said: “Events in #Manchester occupy all our hearts. Be vigilant and report. We face a determined sustained threat @WMPolice reviewing local context.”
Meanwhile the Assistant Chief Constable of British Transport Police confirmed there were extra police patrols at “key railway stations” following the atrocity.
ACC Robins Smith said: “As the public would expect in response to an incident such as this, extra BTP officers will be on patrol at key railway stations as well as on trains around the country.
“Throughout the day, commuters can expect to see additional officers on their journey. This will include both armed and unarmed officers.
“My officers are there to reassure concerned members of the public and we’d ask people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour by calling the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 123."
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