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The neighbours of a couple arrested over the Gatwick drone 'attack' say they heard screaming and shouting when police swooped on their home.

On Friday Sussex Police arrested Paul Gait, 47 and his wife Elaine Kirk, 54, for the criminal misuse of a drone following widespread disruption at Gatwick Airport this week.

Two police vans and a car remain at their semi-detached, new build house in Crawley, West Sussex, just three miles away from the airport.

There is still a police presence at Gatwick, while vans from Thames Valley, Kent and the Met Police were seen parked in nearby Horley, Surrey.

Neighbours described Paul and Elaine as a hard working couple who 'graft six days a week,' and share a a love of gadgets.

Bob Simpkin, 74, said: "Paul is what you could describe as an average person, a hard working builder.

(Image: Facebook) (Image: Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)

"I was shocked to hear what happened, I do believe the police have got the wrong people - this is totally out of character.

"Last night I heard a lot of screaming and shouting, when I looked outside I saw a woman being led to a police van by a female copper.

"The van was parked outside their house and I saw a woman led into the van.

"Paul and Elaine have been together for about five years - I sometimes see a young lad of about ten there too.

"Elaine doesn't seem the person to get involved in any trouble - she works a lot too from what I can tell."

(Image: Peter Macdiarmid/LNP) (Image: Facebook)

Bob, now retired, is a fundraiser for military charity The Danny Gallivan Trust - but used to run his own carpentery company.

He said: "Paul is the kind of man I would have given a job if I was still running my company.

"He has done a lot of work around his house, he built his own conservatory.

"When I saw his work I asked him to help me and he came over and gave me a hand with a room upstairs.

"Paul never came across as a nutter and he had no silly opinions."

(Image: Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)

Another neighbour, who wished not to be named, said: "They don't seem the type to do this, they're down to earth.

"He's a builder and she works somewhere six days a week.

"They keep themselves to themselves really.

(Image: Facebook)

"I see why the police are investigating - it's like if you had a big flash car that was out of place."

Another neighbour said: "Paul is a hard working family man, it is unbelievable.

"These are just two lovely people that met dog walking and worked six days a week.

"Police have been there since late last night."