ARMED police officers will be deployed on the city's streets in response to the national threat level.

Wiltshire Police confirmed that armed officers would be "out and about" in the county, "primarily in Swindon and Salisbury but not limited to those areas".

The decision is not based on any specific intelligence or threats to these areas, the county, or the South West, police say.

Salisbury Journal:

A spokesman for the police said the decision had been taken to make firearms officers more deployable and visible to communities, adding: "We think this is what the public would expect at this time.

"Our priority is to provide as much reassurance to communities as possible but we do recognise that some may feel anxious. The firearms officers will be engaging and talking with people and we would actively encourage you to approach the officers and ask any questions they may have."

Earlier this week the force said it was unlikely that soldiers would be deployed on the county's streets after the national threat level was raised to critical in the wake of the Manchester terror attack on Monday.

The force's assistant chief constable, Kier Pritchard urged residents to remain "alert but not alarmed" and said there was no specific threat to Wiltshire or the South West region.

The latest guidance on recognising the terrorist threat and remaining vigilant can be accessed via www.nactso.gov.uk.