POLICE in Herefordshire are reviewing how they manage crowded places and pre-planned events after the UK's terror threat level was raised to critical.

It is the highest possible rating, meaning another atrocity is expected imminently and was raised because of the possibility that Manchester attacker Salman Abedi did not act alone.

Operation Temperer, the deployment of military personnel alongside and in support of police firearms officers, has also been authorised. 

West Mercia Police assistant chief constable, Martin Evans, said there was no intelligence to suggest a specific threat to Herefordshire but that security measures and activities were under 'constant review'.

He said Operation Temperer would enable armed officers from certain guarding duties to release officers across the UK to support the wider national response.

"This is part of an agreed and well rehearsed national plan and where they are deployed, military personnel will remain under the command and control of the police service," he said.

"Along with our partners we continue to do everything we can to help protect our communities.

"As you would expect, we are reviewing our activities, including those in crowded places and for pre-planned events and whilst at this time there is no intelligence to suggest a specific threat in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Worcestershire we are continuing to provide a visible policing presence to offer reassurance to our communities.

"We have an established plan in place if it is necessary to manage the deployment of military personnel in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Worcestershire and our security measures and activities are under constant review to reflect where the threats exist and the level of threat we are facing in the county.

"Acts of terrorism and hate crimes are committed by a small minority of people and are not representative of the public.

"This is a time for us all to work closely together and unite against those who seek, through violence and extremism, to intimidate or cause fear."

Police have asked for any suspicious behaviour to be reported by calling 0800 789 321 or, in an emergency, 999.

There is also easy-to-remember national guidance of 'Run, Hide, Tell' - run to a place of safety, hide in a secure place, when it's safe to do so, tell police by calling 999.

For more information about reporting suspicious behaviour visit https://act.campaign.gov.uk/