Armed police on the streets of West Midlands after Manchester terror attack

Elite firearms officers have been deployed to the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton, as well as the city's railway and bus stations.

Officers wielding powerful machine guns are also in place at Merry Hill shopping centre in Dudley and Stafford town centre, where they have been seen at the railway station and the Riverside shopping complex.

The Bull Ring, Grand Central, and Snow Hill train station in Birmingham are also being protected after Britain's terror threat level was raised to 'critical', meaning intelligence agencies believe another attack is imminent.

Armed officers in Audi A6 estates capable of 150mph are also on red alert around the region.

Meanwhile extra unarmed officers are out in West Bromwich and Walsall.

Ministry of Defence police and officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary have been called into to help protect the region as part of Operation Temperer – the Government's crisis response to a terror attack.

Soldiers have been deployed to London and Manchester but no military personnel have been deployed to the West Midlands.

Officers at West Midlands and Staffordshire Police are working 12-hour shifts, while PCSOs and police staff have also volunteered to work longer shifts.

Some officers have cancelled annual leave and rest days to protect the public after the Islamist bomb blast in Manchester on Monday night that killed 22 music fans including children.

West Midlands Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: "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."

Staffordshire Chief Constable Jane Sawyers said: "As a precautionary measure, you will see more police officers on the streets of Staffordshire in the coming days. Please do not be alarmed, this highly visible approach is there to ensure you feel safe and reassured as we assist with the wider response to the tragic and horrific events of this week."

It comes as thousands of people across the region, including hundreds in Wolverhampton, joined in a one-minute silence to remember the victims at 11am yesterday.

Meanwhile a huge police investigation into the Manchester arena attack is gathering pace with sources confirming bomber Salman Abedi, 22, was a 'former subject of interest' to the security services whose risk 'remained subject to review'.