London deploys 600 armed police officers to counter terror threat

London has stepped up security to protect the city against the threat of terror attacks.

London police deploy extra armed officers to protect against attacks https://t.co/Vw60UwcRrl pic.twitter.com/Nw0VAvcIUj

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) August 3, 2016

An additional 600 armed officers will be deployed across the capital in what the city’s Mayor Sadiq Khan says is in response to a recent spate of attacks in Europe.

“We are learning the lessons from Europe, from Nice, from Paris, from Munich.”

SadiqKhan and metpoliceuk police commisioner announce more firearms officers for #London https://t.co/Sjc8SG1J3A pic.twitter.com/JzwMYCOXL9

— ITN Source News (@itnsourcenews) August 3, 2016

The police federation chairman Steve white, said it could take at least two years to get additional fire arms officers in place.

Reportedly, some forces are also struggling to get volunteers of sufficient quality to go through the rigorous selection and training process.

Traditionally, a majority of London police officers do not carry fire arms and it is expected with this new change, the officers will rapidly respond in case of an attack.

The city has maintained a “severe threat” level following coordinated suicide bombings in July 2005.

Reuters