Posted on 03/10/2003 12:17:29 PM PST by knighthawk
Twelve people were arrested yesterday at an airfield where US B-52 bombers are being prepared for deployment to the Gulf, police said.
A group of people cut through fencing at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to get closer to the 14 warplanes which have been based there since Tuesday after clearance was given from Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon.
The planes are expected to be at the forefront of any initial attack against Iraq.
A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: "I can confirm that this afternoon at RAF Fairford there have been 12 arrests following criminal activity on the base in respect of cutting the fence.
"These persons have been arrested for criminal damage and aggravated trespass.
"At no stage was the security of the base compromised."
Gloucestershire Police had stepped up patrols at the RAF and USAF base and had also invoked special stop and search powers to detain anyone regarded as suspicious within a mile of the perimeter fence.
Last week police and the US Air Force issued a warning to members of the public about the dangers of trespassing on the grounds.
They said: "RAF Fairford is an active military base where aircraft manoeuvres are now taking place.
"All these agencies would like to highlight the inherent dangers which any trespass presents."
There has been a steady stream of peace protesters outside the base throughout last week and yesterday they mingled with families out to see the giant war planes.
Civilian Combatants deserve the same end as Military Combatants. Lock ‘em up and throw the key away!
One of these idiots is going to get sucked into a turbine and make a heck of a mess.
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