Fury erupted last night over the release of a gunman who killed a cop and wounded two others 36 years ago.

Egon Von Bulow, now 63, has been cleared for release by Parole Board chiefs despite being said to have a "severe personality disorder".

It is thought to be the first time anyone who directly murdered a police officer has been released from jail in Britain.

Von Bulow, who shot dead defenceless PC John Schofield in 1974, is believed to be "terrified" at being let out after so long.

His personality disorder is said to have been described in his latest psychiatric assessment. Last night Simon Reed of the Police Federation said: "Von Bulow has never admitted his crimes or shown any remorse. We should not even be considering his release."

Von Bulow, who had a German father and was dubbed the Jackboot Killer because of his obsession with Nazis, will be freed next week from Ford Open Prison, Sussex.

He will be placed in an undisclosed bail hostel in the community and allowed to roam the streets and mingle with the public.

PC Schofield's surviving relatives have been told of his release while one of the colleagues Von Bulow wounded has expressed "serious concern". He gunned down the three officers after they spotted him walking along with a large bag at 3.50am in Caterham, Surrey.

As the police car drew alongside him, he pulled out a pistol and shot PC Ray Fullalove in the stomach.

He then killed 27-year-old PC Schofield before shooting Sergeant Harley Findlay, whose life was saved by his hardback notebook.

He was jailed for life three times over in 1975. Eight years later he tried to kill Moors Murderer Ian Brady in a psychiatric unit.

Probation Officers Association chief Harry Fletcher warned: "It will be very difficult to supervise him in the community."

A jail insider added: "Von Bulow is institutionalised and will find it hard to acclimatise on the outside."