Anti-terror police are set to swoop Britain’s second largest shopping center to practice for a Paris or Brussels-style terrorist attack, according to Mirror.

Members of the public have been told not to panic if they hear loud bangs or see emergency vehicles rushing towards the Trafford Centre in Manchester from midnight tonight.

As many as 800 volunteers will play shoppers at the mall and dozens of officers from Greater Manchester Police, Merseyside Police, and the North West Counter Terrorism Unit will race to the scene to take action.

They will be assisted by Trafford Centre staff as well as the fire service and the North West Ambulance Service

The exercise is part of a three-day operation taking place across the north west - dubbed Exercise Winchester Accord. 

Following deadly attacks in Paris and Brussels, the terrorist threat remains ‘severe’ according to MI5.

However, counter terrorism police say there is no specific threat against Trafford Centre, which has been chosen because the exercise can take place away from the public at that time of night.

Similar operations have taken place around the country including one involving 1,000 police officers in London last year. 
Source : MENA