Security fears for Stansted over firearm officers sent to the Met police
POLICE chiefs fear for the security of one of Britain’s busiest airports after 40 of its firearms officers were recruited to work in London.
Stansted Airport firearms officers have been recruited to work in London
The specially trained Essex police officers based at Stansted Airport are among 100 armed staff drafted into the capital since the summer.
Scotland Yard wants to recruit 500 more firearms officers to counter the threat of a Paris-style gun rampage, when 137 people died in a terrorist attack.
However, that has prompted concerns that surrounding areas are being dangerously exposed.
Essex police has lost 48 armed officers, and the Police Federation said 40 of those came from Stansted.
Police chief fear for the security of the airport
40 firearms officers were sent to the Met police
County forces in Hertford, Cambridge and Bedford, which share a pool of firearms officers, have lost 11 to the Met since June. Sussex has lost nine.
The Government promised to increase armed police by 1,500 officers.
The UK’s terror threat has been “severe” – meaning an attack is very likely – since 2014.
Now police chiefs in the Home Counties are offering firearms officers an extra £2,000 a year to tempt them to stay.
Che Donald, firearms lead for the Police Federation of England and Wales warned: “The Government promised to increase armed police by 1,500 officers.
The UK’s terror threat has been ‘severe’ since 2014
“We are yet to see if this is achievable… but many of those who have already answered the call have come from the Met’s smaller neighbours.”
A spokesman for Essex police said its capability to tackle terrorism and criminality has remained.