People get upset about the police being armed at a Christmas market, officers hit back with smiles

Police in the UK have taken to social media to hit back at criticism of armed officers posing for pictures with members of the public at a Christmas market.

People tweeted using the #smileforthebbc and posted photos of officers looking happy on duty.

That was in response to the BBC reporting angry comments about Northumbria Police showing images of officers armed with rifles and in armour on duty at a Christmas market in Newcastle city centre.