Paris attacks: 400 armed police in the West Midlands

Rapid reaction teams would be on the scene 'within minutes' should any repeat of the Paris atrocity happen here.

There are almost 400 armed police officers across the region, with hundreds of others in neighbouring areas as back-up.

The regional team includes 148 in the West Midlands force itself, 136 in West Mercia, 67 in Staffordshire, and 35 in Warwickshire.

There are a further 279 in immediate bordering counties of Cheshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Gloucestershire.

Latest figures show there were 992 firearms operations across the four West Midland force areas in 2013/14. Of these 831 included an armed response car.

The officers work around the clock and often use powerful Audi A6 vehicles, with a top speed of 150mph.

Average response times for the most serious cases in the West Midlands were nine minutes last year. Weapons are normally carried in a safe on board and officers are skilled in using various guns.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "Are we prepared? Yes we are. We have experienced terrorism over many years. The tactics and styles change but we will use all the power and might we have at our disposal."

Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said: "Whilst vigilance is the watchword, policing in Staffordshire will help to keep the people who live and work here safe."

Across the West Mercia area, high visibility patrols have been increased.

Spokeswoman Alexa Collicott said: "We will continue to review operational deployment. It is crucial that we maintain close links with communities to offer reassurance and advice."

West Midlands Ambulance chief executive Anthony Marsh said that the region was 'prepared' for a similar attack.

He said: "There is no doubt the West Midlands will be prepared, trained, exercised and equipped to deal with a major emergency. I am very confident we would be able to deal with it very well."

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson said: "The work of armed police in this country is second to none. Behind them we have the best armed forces and special forces who are able to respond when needed."