DORSET residents should be "alert but not alarmed" after a suspected terror attack at a market in Berlin, police say.

Twelve people died after a lorry ploughed into the crowded Christmas market outside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, with a further 48 injured, at least eight seriously.

It is not thought any Britons were involved.

A "suspicious person", thought to be the lorry's driver, was arrested near the scene, authorities said.

Security sources believe he is a 23-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker named Navid B, according to German media, who is reported to have arrived in Germany after crossing the border in Passau, Bavaria, on February 11 this year.

He is believed to have lived at a refugee accommodation centre in a hangar at Berlin's old Tempelhof airport, which special forces police stormed on Monday night.

The attack has led to heightened security concerns in the UK, with officers from Scotland Yard saying the force will review security arrangements for events over Christmas and New Year.

Chief Superintendent Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “Public safety is our priority and we have a variety of established operational tactics that are regularly used to ensure that our local communities and businesses are both well prepared and protected.

“Our aim is to reduce the risk to the public and maximise public awareness. As is normal practice, we are in touch with national anti-terrorism coordinators.

“There has been no change to the threat level in the UK. We regularly review intelligence and information and would like to reassure the public that there is no specific threat to Dorset. The public should be alert but not alarmed.

“The advice remains the same – members of the public should always remain alert to the danger of terrorism and report any suspicious activity to police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline 0800 789 321.”

Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill has called on a number of occasions for improved security at Dorset's ports.

He has described Bournemouth Airport and Poole and Weymouth ferry ports at "porous" and "vulnerable" and said the consequences could be "catastrophic" if action is not taken to tighten security.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said there were "no plans" to change the UK's security level, which currently stands at "severe" - meaning a terror attack is highly likely - but police will be reviewing preparations already in place to protect public events over the Christmas and New Year period.