Mumbai: Banks and financial institutions in Mumbai have sought police assistance to beef up security even as they have begun tightening internal access systems and protection for cash-in-transit, following an alert by the Centre about a possible terrorist attacks over the next eight to 10 days.

Bank of Baroda chairman and managing director P S Shenoy said they have alerted important zones of the bank and asked police to increase their patrolling around the branches. The response from the police has been positive, he added.

"Few leading banks have approached us and we are reviewing the situation in consultation with them. Their security will not be compromised at any level," a top police official said.

"We have put our staff on a high alert in Mumbai's 80-90 branches and also neighbouring Thane, Pune and Alibaug," a top Bank of India official said.

Reserve Bank of India deputy governor Vepa Kamesan met chief executive officers of various banks along with their security incharges to review the prevalent security measures following the alert.

Sekhar Agarwal, joint secretary, Ministry of Finance, has written to chiefs of banks and financial institutions in Mumbai warning them about possible attacks by hardcore jihadis, including elements of al-Qaida and Taleban.

One of leading banks has even set up a small reserve force in case of emergencies.

PTI