FEARS have been raised over Dorset’s anti-terrorism capabilities just days after a series of terror attacks in Brussels.

The number of Special Branch officers in the county is being slashed as counter-terrorism experts are deployed to bigger cities and airports in England.

Up to three-quarters of specially-trained officers are being taken away from the county, leading to fears that smaller airports and ports could be the next target for terrorists.

Just two days after the terrifying blasts in the Belgian capital, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill has again appealed to the Home Secretary to reconsider her decision to redeploy specialist officers.

“After the atrocities in Paris and Brussels, it is only a matter of time before it happens in this country” he said. “The number of Special Branch officers in Dorset is being reduced dramatically and it is happening right now. I have been raising the issue of port security for over four months. I have written to the Home Secretary four times and she has failed to answer my questions.”

Mr Underhill said Theresa May replied but has “dodged the issue” of security at ports such as Poole, Weymouth and Bournemouth Airport.

Border Force officers are the first line of defence at ports and check all people coming into the country. They are supported by Special Branch officers, who work in an anti-terrorism role and are trained to spot unusual or suspicious activity.

Dorset has a coastline of more than 85 miles and Mr Underhill said the reduced capacity of the Dorset Police Marine Section means the coastline is vulnerable.

Following the Paris attacks, he said: “The threat to us as a county is very clear. Port security should not be an afterthought. It needs to be part of our day to day business.”

Dorset's Assistant Chief Constable David Lewis, said: "Public safety is our priority and I would like to reassure the communities of Dorset that the county remains a safe place to live work and visit. We have officers available at our ports, who are placed there according to the threat and demand. We also have the ability to get support from across the South West region and wider if necessary. Dorset Police Special Branch works closely with the UK Border Force and other partner agencies who have responsibility to keep our borders safe.

"For obvious operational reasons we are not able to discuss specific details surrounding security arrangements, such as staffing levels.

"A national programme to improve the way we use counter terrorism policing resources to protect the public has been underway for two years. We are identifying how we can use officers more effectively, enhance working practices and continuously improve our infrastructure across the UK. These measures will ensure that counter terrorism policing has the flexibility to prioritise resources where there is the greatest threat and risk, while maintaining our capacity to tackle terrorism across the whole country.

"Addressing the restraints placed upon us by the current financial climate is a continuing challenge for policing across Dorset and the UK. Balanced against this, the UK terrorism threat level is continuously reviewed and forms an important part of our response.

"I would like to reassure the public that staff welfare is very important to us and as with all potential staff changes we have well practised processes and a highly professional Human Resources department who will help us to manage any impact on our staff."

Dorset's Conservative candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner has warned against “scaremongering” in the wake of increased terrorism fears.

Andrew Graham, a former army officer who will stand against incumbent Martyn Underhill in May’s poll, told the Daily Echo he has confidence in the government’s position.

Asked about Mr Underhill’s concerns, Mr Graham said: “I have no doubt that the government is taking the threat of terrorism absolutely as one of its most serious priorities at the moment – and I think we should have confidence in that.

“To suggest that somehow there is a conscious effort to reduce the protection we have against a very live and real threat runs the risk of scaremongering.”

The debate has been heightened by the horrific attacks which killed at least 34 people in Brussels on Tuesday.

Prime Minister David Cameron has since announced extra patrols at ports, airports, tube stations and main rail stations - but it is understood that the cuts in Dorset will still go ahead.

Labour’s Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner candidate, Patrick Canavan, said: "These cuts demonstrate this government's betrayal of our police. They said they would protect them but instead they are abandoning them.

“These cuts will seriously undermine our counter-terrorism capability. In the wake of the attacks in Brussels this is shocking.

“There is no point in Martyn Underhill just complaining about it as this is happening on his watch against his promise to protect police numbers."