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A resident who called 999 to report the three white vans in Whelford village said it was “pure luck” that she spotted the vehicles.<\/p>\n
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she arrived home to find the driveway and road blocked and saw a “large group of hooded and masked men”.<\/p>\n
“When they saw me they ran ahead of me – some into the field and some towards the neighbouring village of Kempsford. I then realised that something highly unusual was taking place,” she added.<\/p>\n
The woman told the programme she called the Ministry of Defence police at RAF Fairford but received no answer. She then rang 999 at 01:36 BST and said “within 10 minutes the village was full of armed police”. <\/p>\n
“I believe that my 999 call foiled whatever plans they had.”<\/p>\n
“I am absolutely staggered that it was left to me as a member of the public to see and report this,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Someone really dropped the ball on this.”<\/p>\n
Another resident described the moment he said he saw police apprehend the suspects.<\/p>\n
Jeff – who did not give his surname – told the BBC he heard “shouting outside his front door”, although he could not be sure where it came from.<\/p>\n
He said he then looked out of his window and saw “people being held by police outside”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n