RAF Fairford: the power (and risks) of making the public the ‘eyes and ears’ of counter-terrorism

By Elisa Orofino, Academic Lead for Extremism and Counter-Terrorism, Anglia Ruskin University

The events around RAF Fairford offer a timely reminder of a less visible part of Britain’s counter-terrorism system: the role of the public. In the early hours of September 27, armed officers responded to a report of suspicious vehicles near the base and arrested five men. A local farmer had found a road blocked late at night as she returned home and raised the alarm.

The men, all in their 20s and UK nationals from London, were detained under the Explosives Act and on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.…

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