TERRORISTS could strike in Cumbria just as easily as they could in any major UK city.

Police Federation secretary Paul Senior spoke out after news that the force could lose more firearms officers to be deployed to other areas.

An "unprecedented surge" in Islamist extremism in Europe has sparked a major probe in Britain's main cities.

Mr Senior said of late terror squads had been targeting "softer" areas adding: "There's no reason why Cumbria couldn't be next. Windermere or Carlisle are just as a likely targets as Manchester."

He added that the number of such officers was already at an all time low and this had been highlighted and heavily criticised after the Derrick Bird mass shootings.

A current review by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which involves Chris Sims, the former West Midlands police chief, is expected to redeploy firearms officers from rural areas to major cities deemed to be at greater threat of terrorism.

Areas of the country likely to lose officers include Cumbria, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire.

Mr Senior, Cumbria force federation rep said: "We are working really hard to keep our number up. We are at our bare minimum of firearms officers as it is and we can't afford to lose anymore.

"They have been targeting more rural or softer areas as we have seen in France and there's no reason why Cumbria couldn't be next.

"Windermere or Carlisle are just as a likely targets as Manchester.

"There is already mutual aid when we share our officers and if there was intelligence that a terrorist was working in a particular area then obviously we would assist as we already do when we are needed.

"But to lose them totally is a no no.

"We were criticised heavily after the Derrick Bird incident for not having enough armed officers to respond and if there was a terrorist situation we could be left wide open."

Superintendent Operational Support Territorial Policing Command Mark Pannone said: "Cumbria Constabulary has firearms officers deployed across the county 24 hours a day to respond to threats within the county.

"This is a key aspect of keeping people safe within Cumbria.

"Our ability to respond to incidents involving firearms will never be compromised – even if there are requirements to support colleagues in other parts of the country.

"We work closely with regional and national colleagues to ensure that there is the ability to deploy where the greatest need is.

"Cumbria already regularly provides specialist firearms support across the country due to our commitment in supporting national operations."

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