PEOPLE and businesses across Merseyside were today told by counter terrorism police to be vigilant ahead of a potential pre-Christmas attack.

Merseyside Police, along with other police forces from across the north west, briefed the region's business chiefs on terror risks in crowded places.

The address was part of Operation Griffin, to help traders deal with challenges to their security on a day-to-day basis as Counter Terrorism Awareness Week gets under way.

Bosses from shopping centres, cinemas, sporting stadiums and faith venues were advised how to step up their security and train their staff.

Throughout the week police are urging the public and businesses to play their part in keeping the region safe through vigilance in crowded places and transport hubs, prevention of violent extremism, cutting off terrorist financing, and witholding access to tools that terrorists need to operate.

ACC Ian Wiggett, the North West lead for counter terrorism said: "Following the increase of the international terrorism threat to severe, there is a heightened need to ensure that the North West is in the best position to deter and detect potential terrorist threats.

"The week highlights the importance of training people to look out for suspicious behaviour and what they should do if an attack happens, along with preventing terrorism and radicalisation.

"It is important to protect vulnerable people by responding to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it.

"This is not about scaring people, but highlighting that everybody, from law enforcement to businesses, to the general public, has a role to play in keeping the UK safe from terrorism.

"We encourage people to be vigilant to things that are out of place or suspicious and report it to the police."