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We only need soldiers on the streets because the Tories have failed to adequately fund the police force, the federation representing rank and file officers said today.

Military personnel have been deployed on the streets today, after the threat level was increased to critical following Tuesday's Manchester terror attack.

Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation welcomed the additional help, but said it should not be necessary.

He said: "As always, the response of emergency workers in the face of adversity has been second to none. The welcome support of the military to free up armed officers and offer public reassurance will no doubt be managed in the same professional, resolute way.

"But, as welcome as this is, we cannot avoid the reasons it is needed at all.

"There is no ignoring the fact that we, the police, simply do not have the resources to manage an event like this on our own."

(Image: AFP)

Earlier in the day, Mr White tweeted to say the decision to deploy the Army was "deeply worrying".

He added: "Will we learn the lessons of recent events and realise that policing is the job of the police, resources the job of government?"

Announcing the measure last night, Theresa May said: "The police have asked for authorisation from the Secretary of State for Defence to deploy a number of armed military personnel in support of their armed officers."

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She added: "The Secretary of State for Defence has approved this request, and operation Tempora is now in force. This means that armed police officers responsible for duties such as guarding key sites will be replaced by members of the armed forces which will allow the police to significantly increase the number of armed officers on patrol in key locations.

"You might also see military personnel deployed at certain events such as concerts and sports matches, helping the police keep the public safe.

"In all circumstances, members of the armed forces who are deployed in this way will be under the command of police officers.

But she insisted: "I do not want the public to feel unduly alarmed."