IN the wake of the Manchester bombing a top cop is calling on the public to be alert during this weekend’s huge Pride event in Birmingham.

Assistant chief constable Alex Murray, from West Midlands Police, says there are no known links between the Manchester incident and our region but he stressed the national threat level remains severe.

ACC Murray added the explosion at Manchester Arena, which left 22 people dead, is a reminder attacks can occur at any time or place without warning.

ACC Murray said: “Here in the West Midlands, our focus is on providing an appropriate policing response over the coming days.

“We have a variety of tactics available to us on a 24/7 basis − we have teams of local neighbourhood officers, response officers, specialist firearms officers and traffic officers on duty around the clock.

“Looking forward to the weekend, Birmingham plays host to Pride which is a large lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender event and we’re expecting tens of thousands of visitors to the city. This is an annual event with a parade, music and festivities which is enjoyed by many.

“I appreciate that people planning to attend may feel a sense of nervousness − I would like to take this opportunity to give you some reassurance that a full policing operation is in place and is subject to ongoing reviews.

“We will have a large number of police officers, specials and police staff on hand to keep the public safe − this isn’t only for the Pride event, but also for anyone visiting the city to enjoy all it has to offer.”

West Midlands Police chief constable Dave Thompson added: “Last night’s events in Manchester are simply beyond words. It took place in a city and a venue I know well and have many happy memories of.

“The response of the emergency services and specifically colleagues at Great Manchester Police has been exemplary as has the community who have rallied around.

“As the casualty list becomes public it will be simply unbearable. It is an attack on families, children and young people.

“We will support Greater Manchester Police in any way we can across the next days, weeks and months.”

ACC Murray also revealed West Midlands officers had provided support to Manchester police during the early stages of the attack.

He went on: “Everyone needs to be vigilant − be alert not alarmed. As ever, we ask the public to be our eyes and ears. If something doesn’t feel right, call us.

“We act on every piece of information, no click or call will be ignored, we will only take action after appropriate checks have been carried out.

“There are many ways you can report − through local police on 101 or in an emergency 999, via the Anti Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 and online you can click on the red button on the West Midlands Police website to report online terrorist and extremist material.

“Locally our West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit continues to work with national security services to keep our region safe. This includes playing a key role in stopping people getting drawn into terrorism and violent extremism in all forms.

“It is really important for us all to remember that acts of terrorism and hate crimes are committed by a small minority of people and those people do not represent 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.”