Armed police officers will be patrolling key sites across Kent

Kent Police Chief Constable Michael Fuller said special constables would also mount high visibility patrols.

The increased activity comes just days before the British leg of the Tour de France, but Mr Fuller said there had been no specific threat to Kent.

He was meeting Muslim community leaders on Monday to discuss the bomb attacks.

Mr Fuller said he would be asking the leaders "for their continued support and co-operation".

People need to go about their normal business but be vigilant Michael Fuller, Chief Constable of Kent Police

He said the higher police presence at specific sites across the county was aimed at protecting those which may be "vulnerable to attack", and the public should not be alarmed.

"We've seen a huge increase in the number of staff we've got deployed on this operation.

"We've got an increased number of armed patrols, we've called in special constables to help us provide high visibility patrols, and we've focused on protecting all the major iconic sites, as well as places of entertainment," Mr Fuller said.

"People need to go about their normal business but be vigilant," he added.

He said that when the Tour de France passed through the county on Sunday, there would be a huge number of officers on the route.