DUDLEY people are being urged to help tackle terrorism by being vigilant as the country's threat level remains “severe”.

Following the recent attacks in Paris, there has been heightened concerns that an attack is "highly likely", as the threat level, which has been in place since August 2014, suggests.

West Midlands Police has the largest counter terrorism unit outside London and the team has increased its activity in the wake of recent events.

Detective Chief Superintendent Sue Southern, head of the forces's counter terrorism unit, called for people to remain calm in the face of a complex threat.

She said: “It could come from lone individuals intent on carrying out crude but violent attacks, or it could come from networks plotting more ambitious, coordinated attacks.

"Together with the security services we are actively pursuing hundreds of investigations - with a significant number of them here in the West Midlands region.”

She urged anyone with suspicions to contact the force, adding: "Please do not worry you will be wasting our time. We would rather it turn out to be nothing than risk missing something.

“We need you to be our eyes and ears and have the confidence to call us."

The Paris attacks have strengthened the case to bomb Islamic State targets in Syria, according to David Cameron, but he promised air strikes in the war-torn country would not take place without Parliament's consent.

Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South, indicated he would back bombing in Syria, he said: "There's a clear need to take strong and effective action, but this would be limited action. We’re not looking at putting troops on the ground; just air strikes to take out key ISIS recruitment, training and other infrastructure. I think we have a responsibility to do everything we can to stop more lives being ruined by these vicious terrorists.”

Dudley North MP Ian Austin said that sending British forces into action is "the most important decision Parliament ever has to take".

Mr Austin would not say which way he would vote but said: "Following the horrific attack in Paris and the worsening refugee crisis across Europe, there is clearly a case for looking at what further action Britain could take to help defeat ISIS, prevent them butchering thousands of people in Syria and carrying out atrocities here in Europe, and to help bring the conflict to an end to reduce the huge numbers of refugees fleeing to Europe.

"Military action carries huge consequences, so I will be scrutinising any plans to see what they could achieve and to make sure they are legal and proportionate.”

Sedgley councillor and West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge said he believes the country should "adopt a war footing" but added: "Let’s make it clear who we are fighting. We are not fighting all Muslims, we are not fighting Syria or Iraq we are fighting those who wish to destroy our civilised, freedom loving western values and replace them with ideas better suited to the dark ages.

"Britain must free itself from the EU, take back control of immigration and our borders then lead the fight against the barbaric enemy both outside our borders and those who have already infiltrated our country that would seek to destroy our values and replace them with their own backwards, evil and barbaric views."

Anyone with information should call police on 101, 999 in an emergency or the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.