MERSEYSIDE Police have raised security levels across the county following the terrorist attacks in the United States.

Superintendent Paul Forrester, Force Operations Manager, said: "We adhere to a national plan along with other police forces nationwide to respond to the possibility of terrorist attacks.

"Due to the implications of terrorist attacks from the Republic of Ireland, police forces in Britain - working in partnership with other agencies - already have highly sophisticated procedures in place to counteract the threat of terrorist attacks on the mainland. Those procedures have now been implemented to the highest level to ensure the safety of members of the public".

Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Norman Battison, has paid tribute to the police officers who lost their lives during rescue attempts following the attacks.

He said: "All members of the force have been touched by the grief and horror of these unspeakable terrorist attacks. I have sent condolences and messages of support to the New York Police Department, which has lost scores of its finest officers who perished in public service".