Armed police reassure commuters

Armed police officers patrolled stations including Brighton

Armed police were on patrol across the South East on Thursday - a week after the failed 21 July London attacks and three weeks after the 7 July bombings.

The Kent and Sussex police forces both said they wanted to reassure people who may have been worried that the previous attacks had happened on Thursdays.

Hundreds of thousands commute to the capital from the South East each day.

Armed police patrols were seen at Brighton, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and High Brooms stations.

Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable Geoff Williams said there was a big increase in visible security particularly around rail and bus stations.

This is going to be a long fight and an intelligence-led fight Col John Hughes-Wilson

A spokesman for Kent Police said the force continually reviewed security arrangements in the light of national developments but there was nothing to suggest any specific risk to the county.

Security expert Col John Hughes-Wilson, from Dover, told BBC South East that it was "an important deterrent".

He said: "The only way to win this war - and it is a war because other people have declared war on us - is by intelligence.

"This is going to be a long fight and an intelligence-led fight - only intelligence will stop the bomber getting through."

Fifty six people died in London in the 7 July bombings

Kent Police said the Kent Muslim Safety Forum met for the first time at the force's headquarters on Thursday.

Supt Steve Corbishley said: "It is important that we respond to the needs of all faith communities who may be affected by current events."

Ikram Ali, forum chairman, said: "Our county is not only strategically important in combating terrorism in our region and nationally.

"It is also a modern, diverse and tolerant county where we all share a determination to ensure that no evil force destroys the way of life we all share and value."