Being in the EU is crucial for our security, say former Home Secretaries and top cop

Being in Europe, working together and sharing intelligence with other EU countries, is essential to Britain's national security - according to former Home Secretaries and senior police.

"The threats we face today are global in nature - whether it is ISIS, cyber-crime, a more assertive Russia or even climate change," said Sir Hugh Orde, who was President of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

"We have the best of both worlds: the security and stability gained from being part of Europe but the flexibility to opt out of arrangements that aren't in our national interest."

And six former Home Secretaries - including Alan Johnson, Jacqui Smith, Charles Clarke, David Blunkett, Jack Straw and Ken Clarke - have written a joint letter stressing:

"By sharing intelligence, pooling resources and working together, European countries add value to each others' efforts to tackle terrorism."

"The overriding priority for any British Government is to keep Britain safe. As the threat level rises we know that, without European cooperation, we would be more at risk."