Armed police officers will work longer hours and be made more visible across Surrey after Theresa May increased the terror alert to its highest level, suggesting another attack was ‘imminent’.

Armed officers’ shifts in Surrey and Sussex are being increased to 12 hours, Surrey Police stated.

There are currently no plans to deploy armed troops across the streets of Surrey, the force stated, but the county’s policing plans are being reviewed on a daily basis, a spokesperson added.

The Prime Minister raised the threat level to ‘critical’ after a suicide bomber killed 22 people after a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande at the Manchester Arena on Monday night.

From yesterday: Prime Minister Theresa May raises UK terror alert to critical after 22 people killed in Manchester Arena terror attack at Ariana Grande concert

From Tuesday: Children among dead as death toll rises after terror attack bombing 

Head of Operations Command Assistant Chief Constable at Surrey Police Steve Barry said: “You will see more armed police officers, working alongside regular patrol teams, around the two counties at key sites and in public areas over the coming days as we continue to operate in a state of heightened alert.

“At present we have not requested any military resources however this remains an option if required.

“We continue to review security plans for upcoming public events and are working with event organisers to ensure there are appropriate measures in place to keep the public safe.”

Military personnel can be deployed to backfill some firearms roles to free up police resources under an existing national plan, Operation Temperer.

Nationwide, 5,000 troops have been tasked with safeguarding areas considered likely targets for potential attacks.

But their deployment highlights the fact that police “do not have the resources to manage an event like this on their own,” the chairman of the Police Federation, Steve White, warned yesterday.

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Mr White pointed out that 20,000 police jobs have been cut since the Conservatives came to power in 2010 and during her time as Home Secretary, Theresa May slashed the police budget by an average of four per cent every year.

From yesterday: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan: There will be more police on the capital's streets

Chief Constable Barry added: “Terrorists want to create discord, distrust and to create fear and we are determined to stand with our communities and work together to ensure we do everything possible to prevent them from achieving this.

“As such, we reiterate the national advice that the whole UK public should remain alert and vigilant and report anything suspicious, however trivial it may seem.”

To offer information about suspicious activity, call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. You do not have to give their name and all information received via the hotline is confidential.

For more information, visit act.campaign.gov.uk