Free counter-terrorism training is being offered to every member of the public in the run-up to Christmas, police chiefs have announced following the London Bridge attack.

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) has opened up the online course so the public can learn how to spot suspicious behaviour or items and understand what to do in the event of a bomb threat or major incident.

The 45-minute training package was developed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in 2017 for staff working in crowded locations such as shopping centres and entertainment venues.

The NPCC said the decision to open up the training to the public was not made in direct response to the London Bridge attack in which two young Cambridge University graduates were murdered by terrorist Usman Khan ten days ago.

However, a spokesman said: “The tragic events which took place just 10 days ago, when two people lost their lives to terrorism, were a stark reminder of the ongoing threat and the need for vigilance.”