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Two police forces have stepped up armed patrols at potential hotspots like major shopping centres as part of efforts to counter the terror threat against Britain.

Residents in Essex and Kent were advised they are likely to see a more visible police presence around the counties, including shopping centres like Bluewater and Lakeside.

The announcement came after London's Met Police deployed 600 new armed officers on to the capital's streets last month.

Both forces stressed there was no specific intelligence or information to suggest a direct threat in their areas.

Kent Police said firearms and Taser patrols will be increased around key locations such as Canterbury Cathedral, the Port of Dover and Bluewater shopping centre.

In Essex, armed officers are to be deployed at sites including Lakeside shopping centre and London Southend Airport.

Countries including the US, France and Germany have been hit by attacks in recent months.

In the UK, the official threat level for international terrorism currently stands at severe - meaning an attack is seen as highly likely. The assessment has remained at severe - the second highest out of five categories - for more than two years.

Kent Deputy Chief Constable Paul Brandon said: "We continue to regularly review the threat levels in the county in consultation with the Home Office to ensure we provide the most appropriate protection for the people of Kent.

"While we are not expecting a direct threat to the county, we do want to make sure that should circumstances change quickly, we are adequately prepared.

"Some of the locations extra patrols will visit include Canterbury city centre, including the cathedral, the Port of Dover and Bluewater, and we want the public to know what we're doing to protect them and not to panic if they see officers with firearms or Tasers on patrol."

Assistant Chief Constable Carl O'Malley, of Essex Police, said officers are "working around the clock across the county to protect people from harm", adding: "That work includes countering the threat posed by terrorism."

He said there is no "specific intelligence about a direct threat in Essex and no cause for alarm", with the patrols aiming to reassure people as well as disrupt or detect crime.

Mr O'Malley said: "There is no cause for anyone to change their plans or how they go about their lawful business, and if you see the patrols it does not mean there is a cause to worry or panic."

A drive to boost Britain's armed policing resources was launched in the wake of the Paris attacks in November, with forces around the country training hundreds of extra personnel.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.