Gloucestershire Police have stepped up security around Fairford

The Home Office gave police increased powers under the Prevention of Terrorism Act to better protect the Gloucestershire base where 14 US B-52 bombers are housed.

A total of 19 people were arrested over the weekend after a perimeter fence was cut. Nine have since been charged with aggravated trespass.

On Tuesday morning, police were stopping most people at the base and have power to do so within Gloucestershire and Wiltshire until 4 April.

'Wholesale destruction'

Peace campaigner Dave Cockcroft said: "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."

The peace camp which was set up last week when the bombers arrived remains in place.

Cardiff student Nick Barry said: "The USAF came and cut our banners down from the fence using combat knives, they were quite aggressive. They said they were upsetting their pilots."

Ground crews were busy around the B-52s on Tuesday, moving equipment and firing up and running engine checks.