26 May, 2017
British Prime Minister Theresa May says progress is being made in the Manchester bombing investigation but the national threat level remains critical - meaning another attack may be imminent.
Scotland Yard has outlined Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, the Palace of Westminster and embassies as examples of locations which will be guarded by soldiers as part of Operation Temperer, but there are now no plans to extend that operation into Kent.
It follows the suicide bomb attack at Manchester Arena on Monday where 22 people, many of them youngsters, were killed.
She confirmed that 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 - a request that has been approved.
Operation Temperer, which was first revealed in 2015, was described as "unusual" by Britain's senior counter-terrorism officer, but he added that it would allow police to "stretch our armed capability".
Armed officers also lined some Kent streets in the days following the Westminster terror attack in March, though chiefs have consistently insisted there is no specific threat to the county.
Kent Police has now confirmed patrols will be stepped up - but soldiers will not be brought in just yet.
In line with the decision to raise the terrorism threat level, police presence will be increased at key sites, such as transport and other crowded places.
Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Roberts said: "Following careful assessment we are not asking, at this time, for any increased resources, such as military personnel, and accordingly the public may not see a particular difference to the nature of policing on our streets. We depend on information from the public, who can be our eyes and ears, in our efforts to keep us all safe".
Police have urged the public to report anything suspicious by calling 0800 789 321, or 999 in an emergency.
