Cutting police nuclear bomb guards ‘a risk’

THE police force that guards Britain’s nuclear arsenal is operating ‘at the limits of its resources’ and further cuts would damage national security, a senior officer will warn.

Chairman of the Defence Police Federation Eamon Keating is set to speak out as the civilian Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) faces a potential reduction of 15 per cent in its workforce and possibly being axed from guarding Trident warheads on the Clyde.

In a speech to the federation on Thursday, due to be attended by defence minister Lord Howe, he will say: ‘There have been suggestions the MDP’s role in guarding the nuclear deterrent might change.

‘This is the most important job we do and any change to our role in safeguarding Trident impacts on the very future of the MDP and on public and national security.’

He will warn that the force is ‘highly skilled’ and better placed to deal with civilian protesters than soldiers. Using military personnel would also mean that they could not be deployed elsewhere.

There are currently around 2,600 MDP officers. The workforce was reduced by a third due to budget cuts in 2010.

Mr Keating will say the force could not provide the same level of security with fewer staff and will add: ‘The MDP has worked at the limits of its resources for more than five years. It’s unrealistic to expect we could do more or even deliver the same levels of security with less.

‘The loss of officers will put defence assets at greater risk and that is not a decision that should be taken to cut costs.’