Sadly it is the sign of our times.

Heightened anxiety within communities. Fears on the street, a lot of it unfounded. But none the less, very real.

The fact we live so freely and liberally here is the very reason so many people from around the world yearn to get here. At any cost. Yet our way of life is detested by a hateful minority.

The warped minds of extremists, and the momentum of the so-called Isis movement, which has been bred in the wake of wars involving Britain, obviously adds to anxiety so many people feel. Add this to the ongoing refugee crisis, largely due to the horror which is the Syrian conflict, and it does present a worrying reality.

This has led to police here taking preventative action.

Highly-trained officers are now being deployed to Lakeside shopping centre and Essex’s fast-growing airport at Southend.

Many say it’s about time. After all just look at the security afforded at Stansted.

Essex Police has confirmed the armed patrols are not a direct response to any intelligence about a suspected terrorist attack. And that firearms on officers should be seen as a powerful deterrent - not a cause for concern.

The message is: Be alert, not alarmed. Fact is we have no choice but to roll with it. Live our lives as we always would - the only real way to defy a twisted minority.