Police today (Monday) launched a counter-terrorism training course to help the public spot suspicious behaviour and respond to an attack.

The free online training, devised by security and counter-terror experts, takes 45 minutes to complete.

The course was previously only available to staff working in crowded public places, such as shopping centres or cinemas.

But the public launch is not a response to the recent London Bridge attack, according to police.

The National Counter Terrorism Policing Network said the incident was “a stark reminder of the ongoing threat and the need for vigilance”.

Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were killed on Friday 29 November when convicted terrorist Usman Khan launched a knife attack at Fishmongers’ Hall, near Monument station in central London.

Police later shot and killed Mr Khan, after members of the public stepped in to fend off and disarm him, using improvised weapons including a narwhal tusk and a fire extinguisher.

The Met’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi, who leads counter-terror policing nationally, said she wanted online training to be available to “as many people as possible”.

She said: “The threat level remains at ‘substantial’ – meaning an attack is likely – so giving everyone the chance to be extra eyes and ears for police and local security teams help to keep all communities safe.

“The festive period is obviously a very busy one – so this is a good time to join up.”

You can sign up to the online training course here: https://ct.highfieldelearning.com/