Police cuts prompt fears of terror attack at military sites

♦ Sensitive military sites are at unacceptable risk of terror attack because of cuts to specialist defence police, it has been claimed.

The Defence Police Federation has written to Gavin Williamson, the new Defence Secretary, warning that security levels are falling at potential targets, such as munitions sites, because of cuts to civilian police.

The federation, which represents civilian MOD police officers, is facing a cut of up to £15million from its budget of £167million this year and is expected to lose around 300 posts. It comes as the MOD is trying to find £20billion of savings in the next decade.

Eamon Keating, the federation’s national chairman, said terrorists “wouldn’t hesitate to attack military establishments”.

He said: “MOD sites around the country are now below the minimum level of security needed to protect them from a terror attack.

“The risks are evident, yet decisions are being taken by officials that prioritise the bottom line over the threat to personnel and assets that in some cases cost tens of billions.”