News / Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Armed police in Bristol as terror threat raised to ‘critical’
The terror threat across the UK had been moved to ‘critical’ in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing, meaning another attack could be imminent.
As armed police patrols are stepped up across Bristol, chief constable Andy Marsh, of Avon and Somerset constabulary, explains what the heightened risk means for the region and calls on communities to pull together and support each other.
“As a human, I’m horrified, as a police officer, I just want to help, but as a father I feel the same as everybody else, my first concern was for my daughters who go to such events,” said Marsh.
is needed now More than ever
“We want to do everything we can to reassure our communities and keep them safe. We are on incredibly high alert because there is intelligence and grounds to believe an attack is imminent.
“All of my police officers and PCSOs are working 12-hour extended shifts, they are getting out to places of worship and vulnerable communities. Many more armed officers are on duty.
“It’s really important that people see us as their police force and there to protect them at this very concerning time.”
The national threat is based on intelligence that is considered credible and specific. As a result, military personnel will be deployed alongside police at a number of locations across the country.
Marsh said that there is unlikely to be a military presence on the streets of Bristol as there is currently no specific intelligence suggesting a threat in Avon and Somerset, but the situation will be kept under constant review.
He added that security will be reviewed at upcoming events, including Love Saves The Day, so that the public is protected and reassured.
Calling for people to pull together in the wake of this atrocity, he appealed to communities across the region to show kindness and support for each other.
In a statement, Avon and Somerset police said: “We have long and well-established plans in place to deal with attacks of this nature and we rehearse them regularly with partners to ensure we are as ready as we possibly can be. We’re doing everything possible to keep people safe.
“The public are reminded to remain alert, but not alarmed and to report any suspicious behaviour or activity to us on 101 or to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency the public should always call 999.”
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