Residents living near RAF Fairford in Whelford, Gloucestershire, say they were left feeling “like sitting ducks” during last week’s major counter-terrorism operation — and that communication from authorities before and after the incident was woefully inadequate.
The BBC spoke to several villagers this week who attended a police drop-in event at Fairford Community Centre on Thursday, set up to allow locals to ask questions following the dramatic events of Sunday 27 September, when five men were arrested in the early hours on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences near the base.
This follows our earlier report: Major incident declared near RAF Fairford as police cordon off airbase and arrest several men.
‘We were left in the dark’
One anonymous Whelford resident told the BBC she had noticed an “uneasiness in the air” in the days leading up to the incident, with extra concrete barricades appearing around the airbase — but no warning was passed on to locals. “It seems as if they were absolutely aware of something, but no information was passed on to locals until it was in full swing,” she said. “We were left feeling like sitting ducks in whatever operation was unfolding.”
A couple, who asked not to be named and whose home the abandoned vans were found near, said they were confronted by armed officers when the husband stepped outside to identify himself. “I was trying to get my wallet out to say, ‘look I’m a resident here’,” he said. “Then one of them got out of the vehicle and put a gun on me, in my direction.” Gloucestershire Police said officers had “responded proportionately due to the perceived threat” and that firearms were immediately lowered once it was clear the man posed no threat.
Police to hold more community events
Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, of Gloucestershire Constabulary, acknowledged the force was limited in what it could share while the investigation remained live. She said multiple information points would be set up over the coming days and that there would be further police drop-in events over the next couple of weeks.
District councillor for Fairford Michael Vann called Thursday’s meeting “very much a first step”, adding there was “an elephant in the room who wasn’t there — the United States Air Force.” Cotswold District councillor Tristan Wilkinson echoed the concern, saying: “There’s a big difference between being safe and feeling safe. People don’t feel safe.”
Sixth man arrested
The community meetings came after Counter Terrorism Policing announced on Thursday afternoon that a sixth man — a 27-year-old dual UK/Iranian national — had been arrested in Westminster, London, on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. A 26-year-old British national has also been questioned under caution. The original five men, all British nationals from London, remain on police bail.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there are “strong indications” Iran played a part in the incident. Iran denies involvement. The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing, which describes it as “hugely complex”.
