ARMED police patrolled the region over the weekend to provide “reassurance and resilience” in the wake of a terror attack in London.

The UK’s threat level was raised to critical after a terrorist targeted London’s Parsons Green underground station on Friday.

It was lowered to severe on Sunday afternoon, as North-East police forces thanked the public for their understanding and support.

Durham Constabulary, Cleveland Police and Northumbria Police were among the forces to increase patrols of armed and unarmed officers in the wake of the attack.

Officers in Middlesbrough conducted ‘reassurance’ patrols throughout the town centre, handing out stickers and lollies to youngsters.

Northumbria’s chief constable, Steve Ashman, said: “Visitors to our cities and towns would have seen a lot of police uniforms and a number of armed patrols at busy locations and transport hubs.

“This was a proportionate and necessary response to the increase in the national threat level and I recognise that the sight of armed officers can be alarming.

““However, the public response to the increased armed patrols has been overwhelmingly positive and I want to thank everyone who stopped us and thanked us for keeping them safe.

“Now that the threat level has reduced the public will see less armed officers deployed on our streets but we will still have a highly visible policing operation in place.

“The threat level does still remain at Severe so the public are urged to report any suspicious activity to police.”

To report any concerns in confidence call 0800 789321 or visit gov.uk/ACT. Call 999 in an emergency.