ARMED police officers were patrolling the streets of Bolton today as part of a major anti-terrorist operation.

Officers carrying submachine guns and pistols were on foot patrol in the town centre in a bid to deter any Christmas attack or armed robbery.

Unarmed officers were also carrying out random stop and search checks on vehicles and their occupants, with back-up from armed colleagues from the force's tactical firearms unit.

It is the first time armed police officers have patrolled the streets of the town and is intended to reinforce the national Al-Qaida terrorism alert.

Greater Manchester Police chiefs today launched the security crackdown, codenamed Operation Vigilant, stressing that the armed patrols -- which are being undertaken in every town in the county as well as Manchester city centre -- are not due to any specific threat.

But they urged the public and owners of commercial property or vehicle sale or hire businesses to remain alert and report anything or anyone suspicious to police.

They said operators of CCTV systems should ensure they are in working order and the pictures they produce are of high enough quality to identify people.

Earlier this year the Bolton Evening News revealed that three cameras in key locations in the town centre were not working. The system is now being updated.

Announcing the security crackdown, Assistant Chief Constable Steve Thomas said the public should not be alarmed by the prescence of high profile armed police on Bolton's streets. He said: "They should feel reassured by what we are doing."

The patrols will continue until at least December 31. The police officers, armed with MP5 submachine guns and self-loading pistols, will be a highly visible presence in shopping centres and areas such as the bus and train stations.

A similar operation was carried out last year, but was confined to Manchester city centre.

It was the positive reaction to this from the public, say senior officers, which persuaded them to extend this year's operation to outlying towns.

Mr Thomas said: "We had people actually coming up to our officers and thanking them for the measures we were putting in place."

The police chief denied the deployment of gun carrying officers over the festive season was a prelude to armed police foot patrols becoming a permanent feature.

He said the threat of terrorism at this time of year was high, both from dissadent Irish Republican groups and other terror organisations.

By having armed officers on the streets, it was hoped to disrupt any possible terrorist plans or deter criminals planning robberies, particularly of security vans carrying large amounts of cash. "Our objective is to reassure the people of Greater Manchester and not to cause alarm," said Mr Thomas.

The head of Bolton Police, Chief Supt Don Brown, said: "The Greater Manchester Police counter terrorism operation is being carried out throughout all areas of the county, including Bolton.

"The officers carrying firearms are highly trained, skilled firearms officers who are being deployed to maintain a vigil against the threat of terrorism and to reassure the public of Bolton.

"Given the climate in which we live in today, all members of the public and the police need to be aware and ever vigilant against the threat terrorism presents to society."