Armed cops to travel on Tube trains in wake of North Greenwich ‘bomb plot’

: “They will stand out and people will see them. We hope they will provide a reassurance that they are there and they are able to respond whatever the threat may be.”

But, a spokesman for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan told the Standard: “No decision has been taken on this proposal. It will be discussed between the Mayor, BTP and TfL over the coming weeks‎.”

Mr Hanstock acknowledged the sight of armed officers could increase fears of a terrorist attack.

He said: "It is a risk we are prepared to take. We understand that people don’t want to be confronted with the reality of the threat that the UK faces but it is clear and obvious that we have this severe threat level from terrorism.

“Whether that is targeted, deliberate and calculated or whether it is unsophisticated, we have seen both, the reality of that risk is there.

“Hopefully people will be reassured that we have got the measures in place to counter that threat and we can also be unpredictable.”

BTP chiefs will hold talks with City Hall and Transport for London before the change is made.

Armed officers temporarily patrolled the Tube in the aftermath of the 7/7 attacks and are routinely seen at major mainline stations such as Waterloo.

Cops investigating the suspicious item destroyed by a controlled explosion at North Greenwich Station  arrested a 19-year-old suspect on suspicion of terror charges.

Police later said the device was “not viable” but were granted six more days to quiz the suspect, who they arrested in London.

Police swarmed the station, close to the O2, evacuating passengers and setting up a large cordon shortly after 11am on October 20.

Anti-terror officers raided an address in Devon on Saturday where 19-year-old Damon Smith - believed to be at the centre of the police probe - used to live.

A second suspicious device was discovered at the back of a garage at the Devon address, causing evacuations of nearby properties.

A video has also emerged that appears to show the poker loving student firing a pistol.

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