ARMED officers were patrolling popular places across Dorset at the weekend after the latest terror attack in London.

Members of the public reported seeing a number of armed police at Castlepoint shopping centre on Saturday and Sunday.

Superintendent Steve Lyne said: "On Friday the national security threat level was raised to critical.

"As a result the public may have seen armed officers carrying out overt patrols in busy public places. The aim of these patrols was to keep the public safe while offering reassurance.

"The threat level has now returned to severe.

"We would like to remind people that they should remain alert, not alarmed, and to support us in keeping our region safe by keeping an eye out for anything that seems out of place, unusual or doesn’t seem to fit with day to day life.

"If anyone sees anything suspicious that they believe may be related to terrorism, they can report this to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321 or call 999."