Armed police are expected to patrol Cheshire Oaks shopping centre this Christmas period.
Shoppers and workers will see firearm officers stationed in various parts of the popular retail outlet, Cheshire Live reports.
The policing tactic will see armed officers carrying firearms, which other forces already use at airports and in city centres.
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Greater Manchester Police announced that armed police will also be patrolling this year's Christmas Markets to reassure the public and keep people safe.
Cheshire Police said an increase in people descending on busy shopping centres is the reason for the move, with armed officers providing support to local officers to offer reassurance during the busy festive season.
The increased police presence is not due to any specific threat, they have said.
Chief Inspector Simon Newell, from the Cheshire and North Wales Armed and Dogs Alliance, said: "This isn’t a new tactic for other police forces and you may have seen armed officers when you have been doing your Christmas shopping in busy city centres in the past.
"It’s something we’ve been looking at and believe it will strike the right balance between reassuring shoppers and workers and disrupting criminal activity.
"Our aim is to reassure you - not give you something to worry about. Our officers are there to keep you safe.
"I’d like to stress there is no specific intelligence to suggest there is any threat, and you should feel safe in the knowledge our officers are there while you get on with your Christmas shopping.
"Our officers will be more than happy to chat to you about their presence, and if you do spot something that doesn’t seem right, please let them know and they can check it out."
