THE man in charge of representing Hampshire's rank and file police fears that officers responding to a terrorist attack would be 'sitting ducks.'

Hampshire Police Federation John Apter wants a national debate and poll of officers on routine arming.

Mr Apter says he would have "grave concerns" for the first officers arriving at a Paris-style terror attack.

He said: "With terrorist attacks increasing around the world and the indiscriminate manner in which they are carried out I have grave concerns for those first police officers who respond to such incidents. They are vulnerable and unable to defend themselves or protect the public in any way whatsoever. They would be sitting ducks."

Mr Apter added: "As a police officer of 23 years I have never wanted to be armed and have had complete faith and respect in those of my colleagues who are. Over recent years the threat posed by terrorists has changed significantly and we know that serving police officers have been identified as legitimate targets by the terrorist group ISIS.

"In 2006 a survey was carried out of the rank and file to see if they supported the routine arming of police officers. At that time the majority did not support this so the matter was not pursued by the Police Federation. As the only routinely unarmed police service in Europe we are unique, some would say vulnerable."

Police and crime commissioner Simon Hayes said today: "The routine arming of British police officers would mark a fundamental change to the image of British policing and to the way the public see their police.

"If the purpose of arming all Officers is to protect them and the public from a terrorist attack, thought should also be given to what they are armed with.

"In Paris last month, the terrorists used automatic weapons. At the moment in the UK Authorised Firearms Officers use only single-shot weapons. I know that both locally and nationally tactics are under constant review. Consideration should be given to training and arming specialist officers with automatic weapons to deal with a Paris-style terrorist situation.

"It's been over 10 years since officers were asked their view on this and it seems reasonable that they are asked again".