Why are drones flying near US airbases in England?

Airspace around US airbases in Norfolk and Suffolk has been under scrutiny following multiple recent drone incursions. Those responsible for the aircraft have yet to be found and nearby residents have questioned how and why the incidents have been allowed to happen.

Drone incursions were initially reported at three US airbases – RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk – between 20 and 22 November, and the aircraft has since reappeared.

In the village of Beck Row, Suffolk, which is situated next to RAF Mildenhall, residents reported brightly lit aerial vehicles hovering above their houses and over the base itself.

Casseem Campell, 28, said he had seen objects above his house in Beck Row.

He described seeing a triangle-shaped aerial vehicle, which was "a grey, dark colour", in one of two evening sightings of drones he had made in the past week.

"They were really noisy and had lights. They looked official to be honest," he added.

"If they are a threat, why aren’t they being shot down? Why let them fly over if they’re sinister?"

It has since emerged that a drone came within 273.40 yards (250m) of HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, as it entered the Port of Hamburg on 22 November.

RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, where US B-52 bombers had recently deployed, also reported a recent sighting.

British troops have been deployed to assist US efforts to track down those responsible.

Johnny Whitfield, who also lives in Beck Row, described seeing "lots of activity".

"I’ve seen the drones three or four times," he said, before confirming the sightings had taken place at night in the past week.

He also described the flying objects being lit up and hovering over the airbase, although he said he could not detect a noise, while he said the objects were large.

"All you see is light, but it’s a big, big light," he added.

He said he felt the US military was being reticent about what was going on.

"You don’t know if they’re foreign or local. [The US Air Force] don’t give out much information.

"You get more information off Facebook than the base."