Residents of Bibury, often hailed as England’s most beautiful street, were alarmed on Monday morning, January 12, after reports of a suspected shooting at a property involved in a local planning dispute. The incident reportedly involved the shattering of an excavator window while contractors were on site, leaving workmen shaken.
Armed police were deployed to the scene at Rosemary Cottage shortly after 8:15am, following reports that contractors had been targeted with rifle fire during their work. The police response included the use of sniffer dogs and drone units as part of their search for any potential suspects.
However, Gloucestershire Constabulary has clarified that no shots were definitively heard, and no projectile has been recovered. The incident is currently being treated as criminal damage rather than an armed attack. Authorities are urging anyone with further information who has not yet come forward to contact the police immediately.
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The property lies at the centre of a contentious planning dispute, with local villagers expressing concern over ongoing construction activities. Complaints have been raised about noise pollution, verge erosion, and regular obstructions to access roads near the site. Contractors have reportedly faced significant verbal abuse amidst these tensions.
Many Bibury residents expressed their dismay over the incident. Some were confined to their homes by police as a precaution amid reports of a potential gunman in the area. One resident described the situation as “appalling,” emphasizing that while objections to planning developments are understood, resorting to violence is unacceptable.
Witnesses reported seeing a strong police presence, with multiple armed vehicles and officers arriving on Hawkers Hill in response to the threat near Rosemary Cottage. The police conducted a thorough search of the area, including house-to-house inquiries and forensic examinations, but have yet to identify any suspects.
A spokesperson from Gloucestershire Constabulary stated: “The incident occurred on private property around 8:30am. The window frame of an excavator was damaged, and although the workmen were shaken, no injuries were reported. Investigations are ongoing, and we encourage anyone with relevant information to come forward.”
The police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the damage and urge residents or witnesses to report any information by referencing incident 87 of 12 January.