UK steps up threat level, deploys troops in streets

The United Kingdom has raised the security threat to “critical,” its highest level, and deployed soldiers to secure its streets. 

Britons will find armed troops at key locations after the official threat level was raised to its highest point for the first time in a decade following the suicide bombing on Monday in Manchester that killed 22 and wounded 59.

The government Tuesday night raised the threat to “critical,” its highest level, following an emergency Cabinet session.

British officials said soldiers will be deployed to places like Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street the Parliament and railroad stations. They will replace armed police as Operation Temperer took effect on Wednesday.

Operation Temperer is a practiced procedure that allows UK soldiers to replace armed police in many areas so that those police can patrols in key areas.

Officials believe this will free up police to fight the threat of further terror action against civilian targets, amid fears that another attack may be imminent

Police are trying to determine whether suicide bomber Salman Abedi, 22, acted alone when he set off his explosives at the end of a pop concert at a Manchester arena.

British Home Secretary Amber Rudd said that Abedi was known “up to a point” to the British intelligence services and police.

France’s Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said that Abedi is believed to have traveled to Syria and had “proven” links with the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack on Tuesday.

In the meantime, Manchester police said Wednesday they have made three more arrests in connection with the bombing.

By: AP and World Israel News Staff