TERROR LATEST: Armed police on Worcester's streets, and more raids as killer is named

Startled shoppers yesterday spotted coppers with guns around the city centre - a grim reminder of the severe threat facing Britain.

West Mercia Police yesterday insisted the move was about "reassurance", with force chiefs upping both armed and non-armed patrols.

It comes after a house in Birmingham was raided in a three-hour operation which carried on until 2am yesterday morning, following reports the hire car used in Wednesday's killings came from the Second City.

City resident Claire Burton, a play worker, was by Zizzi's at the top of Worcester High Street at 9.30am yesterday.

"I was just crossing over by the Cathedral onto the High Street by Zizzi's and saw two of them walking past," she said.

"You don't expect to see it at 9.30 in the morning."

Superintendent Kevin Purcell said: "We are out there, but it is for reassurance - there is no specific known threat to Worcestershire.

"We have upped our visibility and increased patrols slightly.

"We have always had and do use armed officers, if they are being spotted it's probably because the public perception is raised, but our patrols have increased."

The decision followed a police operational meeting at 10am yesterday about how to respond to Wednesday's terror.

He also said the entire force has been left saddened by the death of PC Keith Palmer, 48, after he was named as the stabbing victim outside parliament.

"Clearly we are extremely shocked - the police go to work every day and know there are risks with the job, but expect to go home every day," he said.

"It's an example of bravery and sacrifice."

Patrols were also upped across the country yesterday including London, pictured above, with the terror threat remaining severe.

Meanwhile, a Worcestershire MP held on lockdown for almost five hours says the terrorist "failed" in his goal.

Mid-Worcestershire's Nigel Huddleston was only let out the Commons chamber at around 8pm on Wednesday night after around 350 MPs were held inside it.

He said: "It was very calm, there was no fear inside there - we knew we were fine, but we were all very worried about what was going on outside.

"I was in a committee room and there was a vote about to start, so when I heard the bell at around 2.39pm I went off to the chamber and it was literally 2.42pm when the news started to come through and the doors shut.

"Several MPs had laptops open, so we were able to monitor what was going on.

"But whatever warped intent this terrorist had, he failed - we are back in parliament conducting business."

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, who has now flown back from Malaysia, said: "This attack was aimed directly at our democracy - we are all resolute that this will not impact on our day-to-day duties."

The Islamic State group yesterday claimed it was behind the attack which left four dead including the attacker, PC Palmer and two pedestrians mowed down on Westminster Bridge.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the killer, named as 52-year-old Khalid Masood, was known to police and intelligence services.

He was an English teacher and dad-of-three who was born in Kent but lived in the West Midlands, the Met Police have confirmed.

Seven of the injured victims are still in hospital in a critical condition and a further 29 were still being treated in hospital, with eight arrests in Birmingham and London yesterday.

BISHOP OF WORCESTER 'DEVASTATED' BY TERROR ATTACK

THE Bishop of Worcester has called for people to be "more determined to protect the values of freedom".

Dr John Inge is a regular visitor to London, very often walking across Westminster Bridge and said he regularly greets the police guards outside Parliament.

He said: "I was devastated to learn of the appalling attack and the deaths and injuries which resulted from it.

"As it happens I was in Worcester, but I very often walk across Westminster bridge and greet the policemen on the gate outside Parliament.

"My heart and my prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones and who have been injured.

"I hope and pray this vicious attack will make us all the more determined to protect the values of freedom, compassion and democracy on which this country is founded."