Manchester bomb: West Midlands Chief Constable Dave Thompson on the 'sustained and determined threat' from terror
The West Midlands' most senior police officer has told of the 'sustained and determined threat' from terrorism, as he praised the response of the emergency services as 'the best of humanity'.
Speaking as armed police were deployed at key locations around the West Midlands, Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: "Like everyone in the country I am lost for words after the events in Manchester on Monday night.
"It is a depraved act of violence against families, young people and children.
"We can all identify with victims and their families. Manchester is my home city and I have visited the arena many times with my own family. As details of the victims emerge it will be unbearable.
"In this moment of great sadness and anger we also see the best of humanity. The response of Greater Manchester Police colleagues and other emergency services has been outstanding. I have offered the GMP chief constable any support he needs from us in the next few days, weeks and months ahead.
"They have made us proud.
Writing on his blog, he said the force was 'active in supporting' the response to Monday's attack.
Speaking about the decision to move the national terror threat level to critical, he wrote: "We are facing a sustained and determined threat.
"Our first duty is to protect the public against another attack.
"Operation Temperer has been activated. We have deployed uniformed armed and unarmed officers. These duties are intended to reassure but principally to protect the public from a further attack that remains a realistic prospect."
He confirmed that the military would not be deployed to the West Midlands as part of Temperer, but the move would free armed officers to be deployed to the West Midlands from other forces.
Mr Thompson said: "I am not clear how long we will remain at this level but we need to sustain our activity.
After such a big attack we need to ensure we are alert and prepared for one here. Extra work is underway to ensure we are even more prepared than normal."
