Road checks at Birmingham airport

Police say road checks at the airport are routine

Armed police are carrying out road checks at Birmingham International Airport.

But West Midlands Police say the move is not in response to the increased security alert Heathrow Airport.

They say there is no specific terrorist threat in the West Midlands and that the road checks are part of regular operations carried out at the airport since the attacks on 11 September 2001.

A police spokesman said he hoped the public recognised the value of such operations, which were designed to protect their security.

'Vigilant public'

He said: "As a matter of routine we are constantly reviewing our response to the potential for terrorist activity.

"Our objective is to offer reassurance to the public and to deter, disrupt and detect any potential terrorist activity."

He added: "We would encourage members of the public to be vigilant at all times and report any suspicious activity to the police."

About 1,500 soldiers and anti-terrorist police have been patrolling Heathrow Airport for a second day as part of tighter security across London.

It is thought there are intelligence concerns al-Qaeda may try to launch an attack on civilian aircraft using surface-to-air missiles in the UK or US this week.