More than 1,000 armed police will be out in force this bank holiday weekend to patrol hundreds of events across the country.
The moves come as police continue to question 11 men over the Manchester bombing which killed 22 people - including seven children - and injured 59 earlier in the week.The attack came minutes after the end of a concert by pop star Ariana Grande and many of those at the venue were children and teenagers.
Events including the FA Cup final at Wembley and the Aviva Premiership Rugby final at Twickenham on Saturday are expected to draw thousands of people each.
Sunday's Great Manchester Run will also go ahead, with a high number of runners and spectators expected in a show of force and defiance as the city recovers from Monday's attack.
Police have revealed that specialist teams have reviewed security for more than 1,300 events over the three-day weekend.
They will also patrol much of the country's transport network as the terror alert remains at its highest level of critical, indicating another terrorist attack may be imminent.
Speaking to The Times, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said police cuts must be halted following the attack - and claimed the public would be willing to pay more to boost officer numbers.
"The feeling in Greater Manchester now is that police visibility has noticeably dipped. We have seen a 20% cut in police funding since 2010 and lost 2,000 officers," Mr Burnham said. "We need half of that back, probably more."
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, the national lead for counter-terror policing, urged Britons to go about their business as usual over the weekend.
He said: "Enjoy yourselves and be reassured by the greater policing presence you will see.
"We can't let the terrorists win by dissuading us from going about our normal business."
Police have said they are making "immense" progress in their investigation of the suspected network linked to suicide bomber Salman Abedi.
Raids in Greater Manchester, Warwickshire and Merseyside have seen the arrests of 13 people, 11 of whom are still being held. Mr Rowley described some of these as "key players" in the terror network linked to Abedi.
Police are expected to continue their searches at various locations over the holiday weekend.
Meanwhile, the family of bombing victim Lisa Lees have described her as "the best mum in the universe".
Mrs Lees, 43, died alongside her friend Alison Howe as they waited for their two daughters India and Darcy to come out of the arena after Monday night's concert.
In a statement released through police, India said: "You were the best mum in the universe and the bestest friend that I could ask for.
"You taught me to 'believe' in myself and to do my best. I will make you proud mum, I promise."
Mrs Lees's husband, Anthony, said his heart had been "ripped apart" by her death, adding: "You are my life, my soulmate, my best friend.
"I love you so much and always will. Life will never be the same again."
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