Now officers from the firearms unit will accompany their unarmed colleagues.

Asst Ch Con Alan Green: "Officers' bravery"

They will also aid in the use of stop and search powers and in covert operations and intelligence gathering.

Armed crime has increased in recent years and in this year alone, police have recovered 623 firearms - ranging from replica pistols to sub-machine guns - in Greater Manchester.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Green said that not only were the measures there to help protect the public, they had been introduced to protect his officers.

"Recently, the level of firearms incidents particularly in areas of south Manchester has reached an intolerable level," he said.

"The bravery of our officers is unquestionable but we cannot allow armed thugs to threaten them without challenge.

"We anticipate that the presence of firearms officers will offer reassurance to both police officers and members of the public."