A woman who lives close to a Suffolk air base which has been at the centre of mysterious drone activity claims she saw one of them shot out of the sky. 

RAF Mildenhall is one of three US air bases in the region, alongside RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, that has been targeted with several nights of drone activity. 

A spokesperson for the United States Air Force in Europe said earlier this week the drones were not believed to be hostile. 

Drones have been flying above Suffolk air bases, including RAF LakenheathDrones have been flying above Suffolk air bases, including RAF Lakenheath (Image: Mike Page) Chrystal Mason, 40, who lives in Beck Row, just a "stones throw away" from RAF Mildenhall, believes she saw one drone shot down on Monday evening. 

The Ministry of Defence said on Saturday it "takes threats seriously". 

"I live a stones throw from the base so I hear and see everything," said Ms Mason, the step-daughter of a US fighter pilot.

"On Monday, I saw something that looked like it had been shot out of the sky. What I saw came down and then fizzled out, to me it looked like a drone had been shot down."

Chrystal Mason, from Beck RowChrystal Mason, from Beck Row (Image: Chrystal Mason) Ms Mason put it in a social media group and was told by other members that they had seen it too. 

There has been an increased security presence in the area since the drones were first reported on November 20. 

Sixty British troops have been drafted in to help the United States Air Force investigate the mystery aircraft. 

Ms Mason says she feels safe when she hears jets from the base flying over. 

She added: "You just do not know do you? People can speculate but I know what I saw.

"I am not the only one that has seen this."

A criminal investigation has been launched into the drone incursions at the bases.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites.

"We are supporting the US Air Force response.”