THE role of armed, anti-terrorist police in the Sizewell area has been questioned at a meeting of a group set up to improve liaison between the nuclear site and the local community.

THE role of armed, anti-terrorist police in the Sizewell area has been questioned at a meeting of a group set up to improve liaison between the nuclear site and the local community.

Officers of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) patrol a five-kilometre radius of the nuclear site.

Bill Howard, a Leiston town councillor, reported at a Sizewell Stakeholder Group sub-committee meeting that there was concern from residents regarding the CNC “taking action in the town”.

Mr Howard said: “Unlike the Suffolk Constabulary, the CNC is not directly accountable to the local community. I am interested in democracy and this does not seem to fit,” he said.

However, town council chairman, Ann Nunn, and clerk, John Rayner, said they understood the issue had been resolved and there were no outstanding complaints.

A joint statement issued by Suffolk police and the CNC said: “Suffolk police and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary work very closely together in partnership and we have found the relationship is mutually beneficial.

“There are very clear policies in place regarding roles and responsibilities and this includes both organisations supporting each other with local policing on and around the Sizewell site.”