Story highlights

West Midlands police received "anonymous, but credible information" of threat to officers

Officers were given additional security guidance but were not pulled off streets

Chief officer vows that police will not be distracted from protecting the public

London CNN  — 

Police in Birmingham, England, received a “credible” anonymous threat against officers Monday and “took steps last night to ensure the safety of our officers and staff,” the West Midlands Police force said Tuesday.

“It was anonymous, but credible information” suggesting police officers could be subjected to attacks, West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Garry Forsyth said.

“We acted swiftly to relay details to officers and remind them over the importance to remain vigilant.”

The force would not comment on BBC reports that the threat was to kidnap and kill a police officer.

Forsyth said that some staff were held on duty at the end of their shifts while they were given additional security guidance, but that at no time were officers pulled off the streets.

The guidance given included advice about traveling to and from work in uniform, he said, as well as on the security of police stations.

“Our commitment is to protect the public from harm and, though we take all security issues seriously, we will not be distracted from that promise,” he said.