Hove and Portslade MP Peter Kyle claimed in parliament that local police officers were the ‘frontline’ in dealing with terrorist attacks. The Labour MP told Prime Minister David Cameron: “The frontline in intelligence and the frontline in responding to a terrorist attack is our local police forces. “My local police force now only has, regularly, seven armed police officers on duty, and calls to neighbouring police forces for help has gone up 43 per cent. “Can the prime minister assure the people of Brighton and Hove, who have a long history of dealing with terrorism that should another terrorist attack happen, the local force can cope without calling on neighbouring forces?” Mr Cameron responded: “We’re looking at the number of armed response vehicles and armed officers that there are available. I don’t want to see the routine arming of the British police force but I think it is possible to see a growth in the pool of armed experts that can be called upon. “As for forces sharing between each other, and going to each others aid, that’s always been part of the way British policing has worked.” Writing on his public Facebook page after the exchange, Mr Kyle described himself as ‘thoroughly disheartened’ by the Prime Minister’s response. “I will continue to press my case as forcefully as I can,” he added. Mr Kyle said he had wanted to raise the issue in these times of ‘heightened security challenges’, to prevent a potential repeat of the attacks in Paris. A video of the conversation can also be viewed here UPDATE Sussex Police has now responded to the claims. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage 2) Like our Facebook page 3) Follow us on Twitter 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! Always the first with your local news. Be part of it.