Ightenhill Al-Qaeda Inquiry: Preston Police Take ControlLancashire Constabulary Headquarters at Preston have taken over the investigation into what has become known locally as the "Ightenhill Al-Qaeda Inquiry".After nearly six months of inaction from Burnley police, residents in Ightenhill took matters into their own hands and approached the county's Chief Constable at Preston. They are angry at what they see as yet another example of the local force's 'softly softly' approach to any police investigation that might involve Burnley's Muslim community. Back in August last year, early one Sunday morning, a retired schoolteacher and keen botanist was investigating plants on the banks of the River Calder at the end of Ightenhill Lane. He looked up from his work and through some trees saw six to eight Muslims in traditional dress. Two, of what the schoolteacher called 'elders', were teaching the other young men how to use what appeared to be AK47 machine guns. The schoolteacher was a former RAF armourer and recognised the weapon being used. He stayed quietly where he was until the opportune moment came for him to make his exit. He immediately reported the matter to Ightenhill councillor Ida Fowler who passed on the information to Charles Bullas. The Liberal Democrat councillor for Rosehill reported the matter to Chief Superintendent John Knowles at Burnley police.
That was back in August. By Christmas, despite numerous calls to Burnley police, nothing had happened and the schoolteacher still hadn't been asked to make a statement on what he saw. This was the final straw for Ightenhill Lane residents who contacted Preston. They perceive the lack of a police response down to a reluctance to properly police the town's Muslim community.
Senior Officers from Preston are already gathering statements which will hopefully lead to serious questions being asked of the local Muslim community to provide some answers about the Ightenhill Al-Qaeda.
Witness Abu Hamza's message in full with a free video of his rantings: |
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