Armed police are patrolling in the vicinity of the Apex and Arc shopping centre in Bury St Edmunds.

Stowmarket Mercury: There is an armed police presence in Bury St Edmunds this evening as part of a counter terrorism operation.There is an armed police presence in Bury St Edmunds this evening as part of a counter terrorism operation.

At least four armed officers are patrolling the area in the centre of the town, with Suffolk police confirming they have stepped up patrols in response to the Manchester Arena attack on Monday night.

The area they are patrolling includes The Apex venue and Charter Square, which is hosting an open air concert from the popular Aurora orchestra this evening, as part of the Bury Festival.

It comes as the police urge people to be vigilant, with the national security threat raised to ‘critical’.

The increased presence is not in response to any specific threats made against Bury St Edmunds or The Apex.

It is not known how long the armed police will remain in the town.

Twenty-two people were killed and 64 injured after the suspected suicide bomber Salman Abedi, 22, detonated a home-made device at Manchester Arena.

The victims include several children and teenagers, with the bomber detonating a homemade suicide belt as the young fans of singer Ariana Grande left the arena.