Another terrorist attack in Scotland is almost inevitable, the country's most senior police officer has warned as he takes up his new post.

Steve House, Strathclyde Police's new chief constable, warned that his force will have to be constantly prepared to react to a similar attack to the one in which a car exploded in flames as it was rammed into Glasgow Airport in June this year.

Mr House said he watched that day's events unfold from London and was impressed by the reaction of the police and emergency services.

He said Scotland must be ready to deal with the terror threat again and communities as well as the police will have a key role in preventing further acts.

He said: "I will be expecting us to be ready for further attacks. It is almost certain there will be further terrorist incidents.

"The threat changes and I need to ensure we are ready. I would be surprised in the next few years if there are not further terrorist attacks in Scotland."

Mr House begins today as Strathclyde Police chief constable, taking over from Sir Willie Rae who has retired.

His experience as assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and his vision of policing with a greater emphasis on frontline resources secured him the role heading Scotland's largest police force. Mr House has experience of the Metropolitan Police anti-terror operations and the controversy that surrounded the force following the shooting of an innocent man on a Tube train.

He headed Operation Kratos, an internal investigation into the shooting by police of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes in a London Underground station.

While recognising the crime patterns of violence and antisocial behaviour which are specific to Strathclyde, he said the focus on the terror threat would not be diminished.

He added: "Watching the Glasgow Airport attack from a distance I can say how impressed I and my colleagues in the Met were with how that was dealt with."

On June 30 a Jeep Cherokee was driven into the front of the terminal building at Glasgow Airport, where it burst into flames. Kafeel Ahmed, 27, died in hospital from burns sustained in the failed terrorist attack.

Three doctors have been charged in connection with the incident.

Bilal Abdullah, 28, and Mohammed Asha, 27, have been charged with conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life and Sabeel Ahmed, 26, has been charged with possessing information that could have prevented an act of terrorism.

Mr House said he was aware of the need for good relations between police and minority communities and urged everyone to stay alert to the terror threat.

He added: "Coming out of that incident, I am aware of the good foundations that exist between Strathclyde Police and our black and ethnic minority communities. I recognise the commitment of many community leaders and their support for the wider community and policing.

"Terrorism remains a threat to us all. As a force we will continue to be vigilant on behalf of communities. I ask that communities continue to remain vigilant on behalf of one another against those who would divide us.

"I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that I fully recognise our need to be prepared to respond speedily and proportionately to any such threat."