A Dorset MP has spoken of his concerns over cuts to police and security services in light of the heightened terror threat.

Former soldier and current MP for South Dorset Richard Drax, pictured, said recent events highlight the need to safeguard specialist security services.

Speaking in the wake of terrorist attacks in Paris and the heightened terror threat level following claims Islamic extremists are plotting to behead a member of the armed forces or security services on British soil, he said: “Events in Paris are simply ghastly and are a reminder, if ever one was needed, of the dangers of these home-grown terrorists that are emerging all over the world.”

The Tory MP said the Prime Minister had put more money into counter-terrorist operations but raised concerns over cuts to police and specialist units.

“Whether we are disarming our armed forces or Dorset’s police firearms unit or any other unit that protects us, we are doing so at our own peril. “To tackle terrorists with guns is a very skilled job. There is a lot of rehearsing and training required and that too costs a lot of money,” he said.