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Extra officers on city centre streets following terrorist attack

By Matthew Brannan

The Police presence in Leeds has been beefed up in response to yesterday’s terrorist attack on Westminster.

People going about their business in the city centre or travelling through Leeds train station will have noticed more police on the beat, part of a conscious effort by police forces across the country to reassure the public.

It is in response to the shocking terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament in which four people, including a terrorist, were killed and 40 injured.

In a statement Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “The public’s safety remains our top priority and I want to reassure the people of West Yorkshire that we will be reviewing all security in light of today’s incident.”

“At this time there is no specific information suggesting an imminent threat to West Yorkshire and there has been no change to the current threat level for international terrorism in the UK which remains at Severe and which means ‘an attack is highly likely.”

Residents in Leeds may have come across armed British Transport Police on and around the platforms in Leeds Train Station or mounted West Yorkshire Police officers on horseback around city square.

Many flags were also flying at half-mast around the city including at Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds Town Hall and the Queens Hotel.

We asked people in the city whether the extra deployment of officers left them reassured.

What do you think?