POLICE officers on the frontline fighting terrorism are being failed according to the general secretary for the Scottish Police Federation.

Calum Steele took the social media website Twitter following the attack in London, and hit out at the lack of protection for police officers who are responding to terrorists incidents.

He said: “Yet again the selfless courage of police officers in particular has shone through and we know one of our British Transport Police colleagues in particular has suffered serious injuries and is currently in hospital receiving treatment. I wish him a speedy return to health.

“What however is becoming increasingly clear is that courageous men and women of police services across the UK are being consistently failed by a leadership that puts sentiment and ideology ahead of reality and safety.”

His comments come after it emerged that a British Transport Police faced the men involved in the London terrorism attack armed with just a baton.

He is in a stable condition in hospital and British Transport Police said he had only joined the force two years ago.

Mr Steele also hit out at the extended hours being worked by specialist units such as armed officers.

He said: “More armed officers - more than when? Measured how? - the reason this is important is because we don’t have more - we have the same.They are just working longer hours and getting more burnt out due to less rest.”