Post by virgindick on Jan 26, 2007 12:34:05 GMT -5
Terrorist Scare Near Aberdeen
Banchory Couple’s Home Raided
WILLIE TELL
January 21 2007
A terrorist alert at a gas pumping station near Aberdeen turned out to be a false alarm after a suspicious couple was later confirmed to be looking for a lost car key.
Earlier the couple, a Mr & Mrs Cunningham from Banchory, had been monitored by security police driving in two cars around the minor roads and tracks at the Garlogie gas pumping station. They were also picked up on infrared heat seeking cameras crawling through the undergrowth around the heavily guarded site.
They later claimed to be involved with a local running club, known as hashers, who follow flour trails across rough ground for fun.
As reported in the Herald last Saturday, Armed police with authority to shoot to kill are now guarding the St Fergus Gas Terminal near Peterhead, and also Garlogie near Aberdeen, Bacton in Norfolk and Easington on Humberside.
Five armed officers are on 24-hour guard at the secluded compressor plant at Garlogie, which is another vital cog in the system which takes North Sea gas into the UK grid. The officers, like 75% of the 800 MoD police officers in Scotland, are trained in the use of firearms. They are armed with Heckler & Koch MP7 Carbines which are single-shot weapons.
They appeared to be an innocent, but very silly couple, who had not realised the implications …
Temporary Superintendent Walter Fuss
A police spokesperson, Temporary Superintendent Walter Fuss, who is leading the Aberdeenshire operation, said: "They appeared to be an innocent, but very silly couple, who had not realised the implications of what they were doing so close to such a sensitive installation. The armed officers have been patrolling for only 5 days and were very much on the alertâ€.
Asked if they had the authority to shoot to kill he said: "In certain circumstances, where no other options is available, and there is an immediate threat to life, it is permissible. Although, he added, we obviously do not normally go around shooting innocent people in the mistaken belief that they are terrorists".
Within minutes of the couple returning to their Banchory home in the two cars, police surrounded the building and subjected the couple to a 30 minute grilling. However, they left when it appeared that the episode had been a simple, though potentially dangerous, misunderstanding.
When interviewed Mr Cunningham (60), a retired structural engineer with Shell, said “It was all part of a hashing thing. I got distracted at the after-run drinking ceremony and lost my car keys. I had to explain hashing to the police, and why we picked Garlogie. I convinced them hashing was harmless by showing sample e-mails about hash eventsâ€.
Mrs Cunningham (49), an attractive HR consultant, said “The whole thing was extremely embarrassing. I have tried keeping him in, but what can you do?â€
Banchory Couple’s Home Raided
WILLIE TELL
January 21 2007
A terrorist alert at a gas pumping station near Aberdeen turned out to be a false alarm after a suspicious couple was later confirmed to be looking for a lost car key.
Earlier the couple, a Mr & Mrs Cunningham from Banchory, had been monitored by security police driving in two cars around the minor roads and tracks at the Garlogie gas pumping station. They were also picked up on infrared heat seeking cameras crawling through the undergrowth around the heavily guarded site.
They later claimed to be involved with a local running club, known as hashers, who follow flour trails across rough ground for fun.
As reported in the Herald last Saturday, Armed police with authority to shoot to kill are now guarding the St Fergus Gas Terminal near Peterhead, and also Garlogie near Aberdeen, Bacton in Norfolk and Easington on Humberside.
Five armed officers are on 24-hour guard at the secluded compressor plant at Garlogie, which is another vital cog in the system which takes North Sea gas into the UK grid. The officers, like 75% of the 800 MoD police officers in Scotland, are trained in the use of firearms. They are armed with Heckler & Koch MP7 Carbines which are single-shot weapons.
They appeared to be an innocent, but very silly couple, who had not realised the implications …
Temporary Superintendent Walter Fuss
A police spokesperson, Temporary Superintendent Walter Fuss, who is leading the Aberdeenshire operation, said: "They appeared to be an innocent, but very silly couple, who had not realised the implications of what they were doing so close to such a sensitive installation. The armed officers have been patrolling for only 5 days and were very much on the alertâ€.
Asked if they had the authority to shoot to kill he said: "In certain circumstances, where no other options is available, and there is an immediate threat to life, it is permissible. Although, he added, we obviously do not normally go around shooting innocent people in the mistaken belief that they are terrorists".
Within minutes of the couple returning to their Banchory home in the two cars, police surrounded the building and subjected the couple to a 30 minute grilling. However, they left when it appeared that the episode had been a simple, though potentially dangerous, misunderstanding.
When interviewed Mr Cunningham (60), a retired structural engineer with Shell, said “It was all part of a hashing thing. I got distracted at the after-run drinking ceremony and lost my car keys. I had to explain hashing to the police, and why we picked Garlogie. I convinced them hashing was harmless by showing sample e-mails about hash eventsâ€.
Mrs Cunningham (49), an attractive HR consultant, said “The whole thing was extremely embarrassing. I have tried keeping him in, but what can you do?â€