Residents left 'like sitting ducks' amid RAF Fairford incident

Counter Terrorism Policing have been investigating the incident at RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday

Residents living near RAF Fairford say they have been "left feeling like sitting ducks" at the centre of major counter-terrorism probe.

One couple said their child had been left traumatised after witnessing armed police point a gun at their father. Gloucestershire Police said officers took "appropriate action" when responding to "reports of a serious incident".

Gloucestershire Constabulary said it had received a call about "three suspicious vehicles" travelling towards the military airbase at 00:45 BST on Sunday.

The government believes Iran played a part in the RAF Fairford incident which resulted in five men, all UK nationals in their early 20s from London, being arrested and then bailed, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said.

Police said petrol but no explosive devices were found during searches of the vans found near the base

The Whelford resident said she had noticed an "uneasiness in the air" in the the days leading up to the incident, which saw 85 homes evacuated in the middle of the night, alongside extra concrete barricades around the airbase.

"We were left feeling like sitting ducks in whatever operation was unfolding.

However, she praised the response of local authorities as "incredible", adding "they have been very warm, caring and efficient in any interaction so far".

A couple allege two armed police officers pointed guns at them during the evacuation

A couple, who asked not to be named, claims Whelford villagers were warned to stay home on Saturday night - hours before the alarm was first raised by a farmer.

But when the husband stepped outside, he said he was confronted by armed police.