Defence chiefs plan to axe 900 police officers who safeguard top secret bases in a drastic bid to save money.

The move to slash the size of the Ministry of Defence Police force, which is responsible for securing nuclear sites, has prompted serious security fears.
 
Last night a defence source blasted the proposal - discovered by The Sun - as "suicide".

The source said: "The pen pushers don't know what they're toying with here.

"These guys guard nuke depots and weapons silos round the clock as well as intelligence units, docks and training facilities - every sensitive military building in Britain.

"They also watch over barracks housing the loved ones of troops fighting on the front-line.

"This is the wrong place to save money and people are genuinely alarmed over it."

The revelation comes two days after The Sun exposed plans to halt all Territorial Army training for six months to save money.

Top brass are being forced into the desperate cost-cutting measures because they are so short of funds for the war in Afghanistan.

Last night there were calls for Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth to admit exactly how deep his budget black hole is.

The 3,600-strong MoD force is a civilian constabulary, separate to the Redcaps and other Services police, with 86 units across the UK.

As well as guarding nuclear sites it investigates serious crimes at military bases.

The source added: "The MoD Police are experts in their field. Cutting their numbers is suicide."

Eamon Keating, national chairman of the Defence Police Federation, said: "We haven't been given any formal consultation whatsoever. We are disappointed at the way our membership is being treated."

The MoD denied nuclear security would be "compromised" but admitted: "We are looking at ways to reduce costs.