Thanks for keeping us safe, say public

POLICE CHIEF PROUD OF REACTION TO INCREASED PATROLS

Reporter NORTHUMBRIA Police chiefs have thanked their officers as well as the public after the force increased armed patrols over the weekend.

On Friday evening, the Prime Minister raised the national terror threat from severe to critical in light of the explosion at Parsons Green underground station in London.

That decision led to an increase in armed patrols across the country as counter-terrorism officers conducted an investigation into the blast.

But yesterday the threat level was reduced back down to severe and Northumbria’s Chief Constable Steve Ashman thanked the public for their “overwhelmingly positive” reaction to armed patrols in the North East.

He said: “It has been a busy weekend in the Northumbria Police force area and the increased terror threat has seen significantly more officers deployed on our streets. Visitors to our cities and towns would have seen a lot of police uniforms and a number of armed patrols at busy locations and at our transport hubs.

“This was a proportionate and necessary response to the increase in the national threat level and I recognise that the sight of armed officers can be alarming.

“However, the public response to the increased armed patrols has been overwhelmingly positive and I want to thank everyone who stopped us and thanked us for keeping them safe.

“Our absolute priority is the safety of the public and it makes us very proud to hear people speak to our officers about how reassured they feel by their presence.” Police vehicles at a property in Stanwell, Surrey, which was being searched by officers investigating the Parsons Green bombing

Two men, aged 21 and 18, have been arrested in connection with the Parsons Green attack.

Mr Ashman explained that there will now be fewer armed officers on our streets but policing will still remain at a high level.

He added: “Now that the threat level has reduced back down to severe, the public will see less armed officers deployed on our streets but we will still have a highly visible policing operation in place.

“We have had armed patrols at high footfall locations and our transport hubs since last year and those will continue with the support of our response and neighbourhood officers.

“Finally, I just want to thank all of my officers and staff who have been on duty this weekend. They have shown dedication and professionalism and engaged really well with the public.

“I also want to thank our police colleagues from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary who joined us yesterday and will continue to support our officers for the rest of the day.

“In the coming days I would continue to appeal to the public to be calm but be vigilant. The threat level does still remain at severe so the public are urged to report any suspicious activity to police.”

People can report suspicious behaviour on 999 or by calling the anti-terrorism hotline on 0800 789 321. Anything suspicious can also be reported online at gov.uk/ACT but always call 999 in an emergency.