Staffordshire County Show: Tighter security planned in wake of terror attack
Security will be tightened at the Staffordshire County Show in wake of the Manchester terror attack, organisers have confirmed.
It comes as armed police have been deployed to Stafford town centre, where they have been seen patrolling near the town's railway station and the Riverside shopping centre in unprecedented scenes.
Richard Williams, chief executive of the Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society which organises the two-day event, said: "Extra security personnel have been employed to undertake bag searches and metal detector scanning prior to entry to the show.
"We understand all event organisers across the UK will be on high alert over the coming days and weeks.
"We hope families across Staffordshire and beyond enjoy our show and we hope the sun shines over the two days too."
Elite firearms officers have been stationed at the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton, as well as the city's railway and bus stations.
The Merry Hill shopping centre in Dudley, as well as the Bull Ring, Grand Central, and Snow Hill train station in Birmingham are also being protected by armed officers after Britain's terror threat level was raised to 'critical', meaning intelligence agencies believe another attack is imminent.
Armed officers in Audi A6 estates capable of 150mph are also on red alert around the region.
Meanwhile extra unarmed officers are out in West Bromwich and Walsall.
Officers at West Midlands and Staffordshire Police are working 12-hour shifts, while PCSOs and police staff have also volunteered to work longer shifts.
Staffordshire Chief Constable Jane Sawyers said: "As a precautionary measure, you will see more police officers on the streets of Staffordshire in the coming days. Please do not be alarmed, this highly visible approach is there to ensure you feel safe and reassured as we assist with the wider response to the tragic and horrific events of this week."
It comes as thousands of people across the region, including staff at Staffordshire County Council and Stafford Borough Council, joined in a one-minute silence to remember the victims at 11am yesterday.
Meanwhile a huge police investigation into the Manchester arena attack is gathering pace with sources confirming bomber Salman Abedi, 22, was a 'former subject of interest' to the security services whose risk 'remained subject to review'.
