Shortage of firearms officers leaves Britain vulnerable to terror attack

A national shortage of armed police is leaving Britain vulnerable to terror attack, the Police Federation of England and Wales has said.

Officers are not volunteering to carry guns because they fear being “hung out to dry” and treated like a suspect if they discharge their weapon, the federation claimed.

Its chairman, Steve White, warned Government plans to train another 1,500 firearms officers to deal with the terror threat looked doubtful.