Special powers in two counties

A police spokeswoman said the powers had been introduced to enhance security around RAF Fairford.

A Gloucestershire police spokeswoman said the enhanced powers came into force at 1920 GMT on 7 March and would last until 2 April.

"The order covers the counties of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire and gives police the power to stop and search persons and vehicles in order to prevent terrorism."

" We're very concerned that the authorities operate in a legal and legitimate way "
Dave Cockroft

But peace campaigners at the Gloucestershire base, where American B-52 bomber planes are stationed, said they were concerned legitimate protest might be affected.

Dave Cockcroft said: "We've got legal people looking at this at the moment but we're very concerned that the authorities operate in a legal and legitimate way.

"We're non-violent protesters and believe we have a right to protest and what we're seeing at the moment is the wholesale destruction of democracy."

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