POLICE say they are “keeping under consideration” the option to use military personnel on the streets, but armed patrols have been increased on the region’s streets.

As Prime Minister Theresa May raised the terror threat in the UK from severe to the highest level, critical, in the wake of the Manchester attack, police forces can now call upon the assistance of the military.

North Yorkshire and Northumbria police forces say so far they have increased their uniformed patrols across North Yorkshire, some of whom will be armed as a precaution.

Durham Constabulary and Cleveland Police have also said they are increasing patrols to provide a "visible, reassuring presence" but did not say whether this would involve armed police.

Meanwhile, army personnel based in North Yorkshire are also on standby to provide assistance for police.

A spokesperson for Catterick Garrison, Britain’s biggest army base, said they were aware after the Government’s Cobra security meeting that the use of 900 service personnel had been mentioned, but it had not yet been decided where they would be deployed from and to.

“We haven’t been asked by local police forces to provide any support as yet,” he said.

“A Cobra meeting was held this morning, when 900 troops were mentioned, but we don’t yet know where they’re going to get them from.”

Security at the North Yorkshire garrison have also been stepped up, with armed guards now deployed at gates to the military camp.

All of the region’s forces have said for the time being they had not requested the assistance of the military, but the situation was continually being assessed.

Assistant Chief Constable Phil Cain of North Yorkshire Police, said while people will not immediately see soldiers patrolling the streets of the county, it was an option they will be keeping “under consideration” and will “constantly review”.

ACC Cain said: “As you may have heard if you have been following the tragic events in Manchester on Monday evening, the UK terror threat level has now been raised to critical. This means that an attack in the UK may be imminent.

“However, this could be anywhere in the country, and there is no specific information to suggest that North Yorkshire is a target.

“But, it is important that everyone remains vigilant and reports any suspicious activity or information to the police or the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789321. If you are in immediate danger, always call 999.

“We have increased our uniformed patrols across North Yorkshire so you will see more officers out and about at key locations and events. Some of these officers will be armed, but please don’t be alarmed, this is precautionary and not in relation to any specific information.

“The raising of the terror threat to critical means that we can now call upon the assistance of the military. This does not mean that you will immediately see soldiers patrolling the streets of North Yorkshire. It is an option that we will keep under consideration and constantly review.

“We urge members of the public to be alert, but not alarmed, and to remain vigilant. Trust your instincts and report any suspicious activity to the police or anti-terrorist hotline. For further information about reporting suspicious behaviour visit act.campaign.gov.uk.

“If you get caught up in the rare event of a weapons attack we urge you to follow the Run, Hide, Tell advice.

“Our thoughts remain with the victims and families of those affected by the attack in Manchester.”

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said they would continue to review public events due to take place over the coming days and have sent a small number of officers to assist the policing operation in Manchester.

They added it was; "extremely unlikely" members of the public will see military staff on the streets of County Durham.

Cleveland Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Roberts said: "In order to reassure our communities, we will be increasing patrols and there will be an increased police presence at events being held in our area over coming days.

“Following careful assessment we are not asking, at this time, for any increased resources, such as military personnel, and accordingly the public may not see a particular difference to the nature of policing on our streets. The right officers will of course be in right place at the right time."

He said community engagement officers would work closely with the public to offer reassurance and remind them of measures in place to keep them safe.

He added: “Through all of this we must remember that communities defeat terrorism, which is why we must maintain the strong relationship we have in Cleveland between the police and those we serve. We depend on information from the public, who can be our eyes and ears, in our efforts to keep us all safe.

“We also need to remember that 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.

York Minster has also announced increased security measures following the Manchester terror attack.

The cathedral has introduced bag searches and will be preventing people entering with large bags.

It says it has also introduced "new measures to manage visitor queues" and is increasing high visibility patrols by York Minster’s Cathedral Constables around the cathedral and its precinct.