Police to be deployed at events and locations in Birmingham after Liverpool terror incident

There will be an increased police presence at certain places, events and locations across the West Midlands over the coming days
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Police patrols in Birmingham will be stepped up in the coming days after the UK’s terrorism threat level was increased to severe.

The threat level means it is ‘highly likely’ that a terrorist attack could happen in the UK.

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West Midlands Police officers will be deployed to certain places, events and locations as part of the security response - the force has also asked for the public’s to help to ‘remain alert and vigilant, not alarmed’.

It comes after there was an explosion outside the entrance of Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Remembrance Sunday.

A taxi was engulfed in flames after the explosion, which left the passenger dead and the driver injured.

Police have declared it as a terror incident.

Vehicle checkpoints were also set up at Birmingham Airport last night (Monday, 15 November) and police will now step up patrols in the coming days.

Forensic officers at Liverpool Women's Hospital after an explosion killed one person and injured another on Sunday. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA WireForensic officers at Liverpool Women's Hospital after an explosion killed one person and injured another on Sunday. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Forensic officers at Liverpool Women's Hospital after an explosion killed one person and injured another on Sunday. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

What have West Midlands Police said?

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A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “The threat level has moved to severe today meaning it is ‘highly likely’ that a terrorist attack could happen in the UK.

“This is a precautionary measure and not based on any specific threat but we need your help to remain alert and vigilant not alarmed.

“The threat level is designed to inform the public, and guide the level of response by police and other agencies who lead on public safety and national security. We will continue to work day and night to protect you.

“The increased threat level activates an enhanced police response that is tried and tested, to ensure that the UK is well prepared and protected.

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“Some of this will be visible and involve our police officers being deployed to certain places, events and locations, which you may see over the coming days.

“We will increase the focus of our visible patrols, and implement other security and protection measures.”

West Midlands Police made an arrest on ThursdayWest Midlands Police made an arrest on Thursday
West Midlands Police made an arrest on Thursday

What advice have West Midlands Police given if you do see anything suspicous?

“If you see any suspicious activity, please report it to us. We can only succeed if we have your support, our communities have shown time and time again that they are united in their rejection of those who wish to divide us, and spread hate in the name of extremism.

“Remain vigilant, and if you do see anything suspicious then please report it, in confidence, to police via the Anti-terrorist hotline or gov.uk/ACT. It won’t ruin lives, but it may well save them.”

What action have West Midlands Police taken in light of the terror threat already?

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In a tweet, Birmingham Airport Police also revealed that officers were conducting numerous vehicle checkpoints around the airport, ‘ensuring that all visitors are safe and sound’ on Monday night (15 November).

Birmingham Airport Police photoBirmingham Airport Police photo
Birmingham Airport Police photo

Why the terror threat level has been increased

Priti Patel said the terror threat level had been raised because there had been two attacks in the space of a month.

Speaking to broadcasters, she said: “The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, Jtac, are now increasing the United Kingdom’s threat level from substantial to severe.

“And there’s a reason for that, and that reason is because what we saw yesterday is the second incident in a month.”

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She added: “Our security and intelligence services prevent all sorts of acts, day in, day out.

“And of course, they understand the landscape, they see context, they see all sorts of things that keep our country safe and secure every single day and that work will continue.”

Four men released without charge

Four men arrested under the Terrorism Act in relation to the car explosion outside Liverpool’s Women’s Hospital on Sunday have been released without charge.

A taxi exploded and then burst into flames at 10.59 in the morning, killing the bomb-carrying passenger, who has been identified by police as 32-year-old Emad Al Swealmeen.

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The taxi driver, named locally as David Perry, was injured in the blast and declared a hero by Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson for “diverting what could have been an absolutely awful disaster at the hospital.”

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