Armed cops to patrol UK trains for the first time as security is stepped up to critical after Manchester terror attack
ARMED police will patrol trains all over the country for the first time as security is stepped up in the wake of the Manchester bombing.
From this afternoon specially trained firearms officers will be on board rail services nationwide.
It comes days after the Manchester terror attack which killed 22 people and left 64 injured.
Senior officers say passengers who regularly use train services may see a "firearms presence" while the country is at a "critical" threat level.
Since the devastating attack this week Britain has seen its terror threat level rise to its highest in a decade.
Armed officers have been regularly patrolling the London tube network since December, but this will be the first time they will patrol on board train services elsewhere in the country.
Police said passengers should not be alarmed and know that officers are there to disrupt and deter criminal activity.
Chief Constable Paul Crowther of the British Transport Police said: "Since the devastating events in Manchester on Monday evening our force has radically increased the presence of our officers nationwide.
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"By having firearms officers on board trains we're ensuring that trains remain as safe as possible for passengers.
"Our patrols will be highly visible and passengers should feel comforted by their presence. Please do speak to them if you have any concerns at all.
"This is part of our national mobilisation plan to deal with the current and ongoing threat.
"It is important to note that we do not have any specific intelligence in relation to train services but are taking this action to ensure we can protect and reassure the public."
He said since the Government enacted Operation Temperer after Salman Abedi detonated a nail bomb at an Ariana Grande concert, the transport police have been reinforced by additional firearms officers from the Ministry of Defence Police, who will remain at stations in London.
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Chief Constable Crowther added: "I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone to stay calm, be vigilant, and if you spot anything at all which gives you cause for concern, let us know.
"In light of the dreadful events over these last few days, and the increase to the national threat level, nothing should be considered too trivial to report and any information - regardless of whether you feel it is significant or not - may be important to all of us.
"The cowardly acts of terrorists will never weaken our resolve. We will continue to work with police forces nationally to ensure that the travelling public remain safe and reassured."
In the hours after the attack on Monday night police raced to find the bomb gang behind the massacre .
Security chiefs believe the deadly device detonated by Salman Abedi was built by other ISIS fanatics in a city centre flat.
Eight men have now been arrested over the devastating attack.
Today a minutes silence was held in memory of the victims and the Queen visited those injured in hospital.