Extra police for Stansted

Police will not confirm if the extra officers are armed

Essex Police have increased the number of officers at Stansted Airport in the light of security concerns in London.

Police will not confirm how many extra officers have been deployed, nor whether they are armed.

The news comes as 450 troops and an extra 1,000 police officers patrol Heathrow Airport for the second day.

The heightened security is believed to be linked to intelligence concerns that al-Qaeda may try to use surface-to-air missiles in the UK or US this week.

An Essex Police spokesman said the force had decided on Tuesday to "strengthen security arrangements in the county, including at the airport".

He said the length of time the extra officers would remain at the airport depended on advice from the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office.

Airports at Manchester, Leeds-Bradford and Jersey have also all announced they are stepping up security.