A MINUTE'S silence to pay respect to those affected by the atrocities in Paris was held by police officers and staff this morning.

Police and staff stood outside the police station on Castle Street at 11am to remember those killed in Friday's attack.

The death toll has risen to 129 as well as widespread casualties after the terrorist attacks at several locations in the French capital on Friday, November 13.

Chief inspector Jerry Reakes-Williams, from West Mercia Police, said they stood side by side with their colleagues in Paris.

He said staff were given the choice to go outside but others would have been involved in tasks where it would not have been possible for them to step out.

"I think it is wanting to be seen to stand with the people of Paris after what they have been through especially for us with colleagues who, to coin a phrase, were running in as others were running away.

"I'm sure there were many acts of bravery and heroism on behalf of all our emergency services colleagues not just the police.

"And sometimes when such an awful this like this happens we wonder what we can do and this is marking the moment and it is a mark of respect.

"I think as an additional thing as well it is important to remember we have had a Russian airliner crash, bombings in Beirut and in Baghdad.

"Perhaps we also need to remember that, for some people, the events in Paris are an almost daily occurrence.

"Worcester is, relatively speaking, a very safe place to live and work but the nature of the threat and what happened in Paris suggests we should all be vigilant."

Superintendent Kevin Purcell said: "We, like our colleagues nationally and all over the world, offer our condolences to all those victims of this atrocity and their family and friends.

"We are inspired by the work of the French emergency services who walked toward danger to save others.

"I and my officers are clear that we have a vital role in keeping our communities safe.

"We do this through ensuring that Worcester remains a tolerant, integrated community that together stands against violence, hatred and criminality of any kind."