POLICE in Worcestershire are reviewing how they manage crowded places and pre-planned events after the UK's terror threat level was raised to critical.

It is the highest possible rating, meaning another atrocity is expected imminently. 

Worcestershire police chiefs discussed appropriate plans for responding to the threat this morning. 

However, assistant chief constable Martin Evans said there was no intelligence to suggest a specific threat to the county. 

Theresa May raised the threat level amid fears Manchester attacker Salman Abedi did not act alone.

She said a "wider group of individuals" could have been involved in the Manchester Arena blast rather than just suicide bomber Abedi.

The military could also be deployed to support armed police officers, Mrs May has said, bringing a plan known as Operation Temperer into effect.

West Mercia's Assistant Chief Constable Martin Evans said Operation Temperer could enable armed officers from certain guarding duties to release officers across the UK to support the wider national response.

He said: "Along with our partners we continue to do everything we can to help protect our communities.

"As you would expect, we are reviewing our activities, including those in crowded places and for pre-planned events and whilst at this time there is no intelligence to suggest a specific threat in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Worcestershire we are continuing to provide a visible policing presence to offer reassurance to our communities.

"We have an established plan in place if it is necessary to manage the deployment of military personnel in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Worcestershire and our security measures and activities are under constant review to reflect where the threats exist and the level of threat we are facing in the county.

"Acts of terrorism and hate crimes are committed by a small minority of people and are not representative of the public.

"This is a time for us all to work closely together and unite against those who seek, through violence and extremism, to intimidate or cause fear.

"Therefore we need your help; please remain vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour or activity on 0800 789 321 or in an emergency always call 999.

"There is also easy-to-remember national guidance of 'Run, Hide, Tell' - run to a place of safety, hide in a secure place, when it's safe to do so, tell police by calling 999."

For further information about reporting suspicious behaviour visit https://act.campaign.gov.uk/

Monday night's attack at a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande left 22 people dead, including an eight-year-old girl, and dozens injured.

Among the first victims to be named were eight-year-old Saffie Roussos from Leyland and teenagers Olivia Campbell, 15, from Bury and Georgina Callander from Chorley.

Many of the 59 people hurt in the attack were treated for life-threatening injuries. Twelve of those rushed to hospital were children.

The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the barbaric attack, which involved a home-made device packed with nuts and bolts which exploded in the venue's foyer as thousands of young people were leaving.

Abedi, 22, believed to have been born in Manchester and of Libyan descent, has been named as the suicide bomber.

Abedi was named after armed officers carried out a raid and controlled explosion at an address in south Manchester where he was registered as living.

A 23-year-old man was also detained near a Morrisons in Chorlton.