Terror threat ‘critical’: troops on the streets as UK warns of imminent attack
Up to 5,000 armed troops can be deployed at transport hubs and other crowded public places in order to release the armed police for other duties
Britain prepared to deploy soldiers at key sites on Wednesday, having raised its terror threat level to maximum after a suicide bomber massacred 22 people at a pop concert in Manchester.
Addressing the nation from her Downing Street office, Prime Minister Theresa May warned late Tuesday that a new attack “may be imminent” and there was a possibility of “a wider group of individuals linked to this attack”.
May said the threat level was being raised from severe to critical on the recommendation of the intelligence services and she was activating a plan for armed military personnel to assist police.
The escalated terror threat came as vigils were held in Manchester and elsewhere across the country Tuesday night.The British Consulate in Hong Kong has opened a condolence book for the public to sign.
Watch: video captures chaos at Manchester concert