As the country comes to terms with the terrifying and brutal daylight attack on a serving soldier in London, questions have been raised by leading politicians about whether military personnel should be wearing uniforms outside the safety of their barracks. Ashley Barnard visits the largest Army barracks in the UK, where she finds it is largely business as usual.

Visitors to the supermarket or leisure centre in the heart of Catterick Garrison are used to the sight of men and women in military uniforms, whether on training operations, in an official capacity or just doing their weekly shop with partners and children in tow.

But today (Thursday, May 23) – just 24 hours after the savage attack in Woolwich on Drummer Lee Rigby, 25, of 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers – you would be forgiven for assuming it would be a little quieter in the town centre, with less of an obvious military presence.

It is all quiet at the Garrison Memorial Church, with a lone cream bouquet of roses and lilies left next to a plaque at the front of the building.

A note is inscribed: “Young soldier, my thoughts are with your family. This is so sad, I hope you are with the angels and sleep peacefully. We will always remember you.”

But the town centre is as busy as ever. While no soldiers want to comment or speak about the events on Wednesday, they are certainly not afraid to wear uniforms with pride - and are apparently completely relaxed about doing so.

And even though Prime Minister David Cameron warned on Wednesday that soldiers may be safer to not wear uniforms outside military bases, Catterick soldiers were never advised against wearing them.

In a shopping parade in the garrison town centre - which includes several takeaways and a general store - dozens of troops come and go to pick up their lunch while in uniform.

Passers-by express their surprise and shock about the news of the London attack, and views are mixed as to how Catterick soldiers should react.

“Of course they should be able to wear their uniforms – but that does not mean to say it is a good idea.

“Why risk their own safety for the sake of what they are wearing,” asks Fiona Johnston, from West Burton in the Yorkshire Dales.

Two military wives and mothers of young children, who do not want to be named, say they still feel safe in the garrison and are proud of their partners’ choice to continue to be in military dress.

“They get a lot of respect here, as they should. I think it’s only right, especially here because the whole town is built up around the garrison and the soldiers,” says one.

But James Pelton, from Richmond, says he does not believe troops should be in uniform outside of the barracks.

He says: “It attracts attention to them and identifies them as a soldier – if they are out of uniform they blend in with the rest of the public and will not be at risk.”

Local councillor Stephanie Todd says soldiers and their families feel very safe on the garrison.

“There has always been very tight security here and there is a lot of CCTV. We now need to wait for the police investigation to find out how the attack in London happened.”