Scottish politicians "lack the maturity" to debate police resources as security is stepped up after the Paris attacks.

That is the bleak assessment of Scottish Police Federation (SPF), the body which represents the force's rank and file, after a special meeting to discuss cuts and the terror threat.

The Federation is particularly concerned about what they regard as "morale-sapping" politicisation of armed policing tactics and suggestions soldiers, rather than officers, could be asked to beef up security.

Calum Steele, the SPF's general secretary, said: "Events in Scotland have sadly shown us that many of our politicians lack the maturity to debate the importance of police resources and responses in an evidenced manner.

"All too often since the Police Service of Scotland was created, we have witnessed elected representatives lining up to score political points whilst ignoring the realities of policing and the impact of austerity.

"Without question the commentary on the apparent controversy over the deployment of armed police officers in Scotland has been shamefully opportunistic.

"This has led to a sapping of morale amongst these highly skilled officers who face snide criticism if they are seen to undertake any police duties that don’t require a firearm. It is time for this to stop.

"Let me be clear, this SPF is not calling for a fully armed police service (at this time) but we do believe we need more trained officers routinely carrying their weapons in public."

Mr Steele added that he did not believe Scotland had the capacity to deal with Paris-style attacks.

He said: "The fight against terrorism needs tackled on three fronts. We need to make sure the resentments and ideologies from which terrorism is born aren’t given the opportunities to flourish.

"We must ensure that where they do, we have the intelligence capabilities to gather evidence and bring prosecutions.

"We must also make sure that in the event we face a terrorist incident, we have the tactical capabilities to respond.

"There can be little doubt that at this time, we lack the resources and investment on all of these areas.

"The Police Service of Scotland was set up in an age of austerity. It was expected to save £1.1bn pounds in the first decade of its existence.

"The service has already made cuts and saved an incredible amount of money but it is time these cuts were stopped and expectations reassessed.

"The estimated savings were set against what could be considered a routine policing background and by no stretch of the imagination could the policing environment of today be described as routine.

"We need only look at the recent horrific events in Paris and particularly the tactical capabilities and the speed at which they were deployed to come to the conclusion that Scotland is woefully under-equipped, under-resourced and under prepared."

Mr Steele stressed the important on long-term community policing in combating terrorism and its causes.

He said: "Cuts to our budgets have seen fewer police officers in our communities and necessitated the closure of many of our buildings.

"Police officers need time to become embedded in our communities and to build trust and relationships with them.

"Regrettably the austerity at all costs approach sees police officers running from pillar to post and not having the time to stop, talk and listen.

"It is at this most basic level that the fight against terrorism and extremism begins."

Scotland - thanks to the national force merger - has not suffered th ekind of cuts seen south of the border. Mr Steele believes this may mean Scottish oifficers have to come to England's aid.

He said: "The decimation of the police service in England & Wales inevitably means there would be a call for Scotland to assist in the aftermath of an incident south of the border.

"We must also not lose sight of the reality that it would be morally repugnant and politically suicidal not to provide that assistance but in doing so, we shouldn’t ever lose sight of the fact that we would be diluting yet further the very limited capability that Scotland currently has. Scotland would be paying the price for police cuts south of the border."

The SPF would rather see armed civilian officers on UK streets than soldiers.

Mr Steele said: "Our armed forces contain some of the most courageous men and women and they provide a vital role in the defence of our nation but they are not and never should be considered as an acceptable patrolling response simply because of a lack of will to invest in policing."