This is why armed police are at Truro's Christmas market

Armed police have been spotted patrolling around Truro Christmas market today – although their presence is not related to last night’s terrorist attack in France.

Cornwall Live reported last month how armed police would be patrolling public shopping areas and large-scale events across Devon and Cornwall in the run-up to Christmas.

Those events include Christmas markets such as the one the officers have been seen at on Lemon Quay in Truro.

But one of the officers confirmed the armed units in the city centre today were not responding to the Christmas market attack in the French city of Strasbourg on Tuesday night, but were on a routine patrol.

The reason for the armed patrols is due to more events being in place over the festive season, along with crowded places - where the additional support could be 'beneficial' to the area.

The anonymous armed officer said: “We are here on routine patrol, as part of a tasking to reassure the public in areas which have high foot fall, such as Christmas markets.

“This is not related to what happened last night (in France), although often members of the public do ask us why we bother with these patrols, and this incident is a reminder that they can happen anywhere.

“Obviously the risk down here is very small.”

Head of alliance specialist operations, superintendent Nikki Leaper, said last month: “Similar to last year, police – including our armed officers – will be patrolling busy festive locations and events to offer a high-visibility level of protection to our public.

“I want to reassure the public that there is no increase in the threat level, nor is there any specific threat within Devon, Cornwall or Dorset.

"However, the festive period leads to significant events and crowded places where this additional level of support could be beneficial to local policing teams across the alliance area.

"You can approach any of our officers directly as they are here to protect and serve our communities.

“Our message to the public is to go about their day as normal, enjoy the festive period and stay safe."

If you spot anything suspicious, you should report it to a member of staff at the premises, or a police officer.

You can also report incidents to the police on 101, or 999 if it is an emergency.

To report information confidentially, you can call 0800 789 321 or visit www.gov.uk/ACT