SECURITY at the arena in Newcastle is being reviewed amid the increased terror threat following the bombing in Manchester on Monday night.

Armed police are to be deployed in the North-East’s city centres in response to the murder of 22 people by a suicide bomber who detonated a device at the Ariana Grande concert.

Big names artists such as Little Mix, Emeli Sande and James Arthur, who attract similar audiences, are due to play the Metro Radio Area in Newcastle this year.

A spokesman for the venue said: “After the tragic events at Manchester Arena last night, the team at the Metro Radio Arena are aware of the potential heightened level of threat against venues across the country.

“We as a team are in constant communication with Northumbria police and relevant authorities and are continually reviewing our security and safety procedures.

“There are no changes to our planned events at this time.

“If anything changes, we’ll communicate with customers by email and social media. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of anyone associated with the Manchester Arena incident.”

North Yorkshire Police say their force is continuing to provide support to Greater Manchester Police. 

Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, Dave Jones, said there was no intelligence to suggester there has been any change in the level of threat in North Yorkshire: “Still, I would like to reassure the public that we will continue to maintain a visible police presence across North Yorkshire today. Our officers are providing support to Greater Manchester Police and neighbouring forces in any way that we can.

He added: “On behalf of North Yorkshire Police I would like express my deepest sympathy to those affected by last night’s tragic events.

“Our sympathies  go out to those who have lost loved ones, or who have suffered as a result of this barbaric attack.

“Also, our thoughts go out to colleagues at Greater Manchester Police and other emergency services who have worked tirelessly throughout the night and into this morning in very difficult circumstances.”

Durham Police say they are to carry out a review of security at public events coming up in the force area in the wake of the attack in Manchester.

A force spokesman said: “We are aware that people will be concerned following the terrible events in Manchester last night.

“The thoughts of everyone at Durham Constabulary are with those affected.

"The national threat level currently remains at 'severe' and there is nothing to suggest there is any specific threat to our communities in County Durham and Darlington.

“Neighbourhood officers and community engagement teams throughout the force will be speaking to local community groups to offer reassurance.

“We will also be carrying out reviews of public events due to take place in our area.

“These measures are not in response to any specific threat but are there to reassure members of the public of the security measures we have in place to help protect you and keep you safe”.

Northumbria Police said the national threat level currently remains at 'severe' and there is nothing to suggest there is any specific threat to the communities it serves.

A spokesman said: “We know our communities will be concerned following the tragic events in Manchester overnight which has seen 22 people killed and many more injured.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with all those who have been affected.

“Extra patrols will be on patrol, including armed officers, in high footfalls areas such as the city centres and around transport hubs as they have done since last year.

“Members of the public should not be concerned about the patrols, they are not in response to any specific threat but are there to reassure members of the public".

He added: “We will be holding a meeting with local authorities and emergency services, this afternoon, chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Darren Best, so that we can respond to the events in Manchester and provide an effective response for upcoming events in our own area.”

Last week, Northumbria Police led a multi-agency training exercise at the Metrocentre in Gateshead, one of Europe's biggest shopping centres, to test emergency service response to a major incident.

The early morning exercise tested the skills and processes of both police, other emergency services and the local authority.

The exercise was focused on a terror attack taking place at the shopping centre and is one of a number of similar exercises to have taken place across the country.

Assistant Chief Constable Darren Best said: “We carry out exercises to test contingency plans and the co-ordination of the response to a major incident on a regular basis.

"The national terror threat remains at 'Severe' and recent events across the continent and in the country show that we need to ensure we are prepared in the event that something does happen in our region.”