The ambush was laid with speed, efficiency and simplicity. From his point of vantage the fair-haired man observed it with a mixture of fury and the admiration of a professional for a professional job well done.

At the last moment, when the van could be heard coming up from the sea, but was still out of sight round the final bend in the track, the three caravans started up their engines and drove out, completely filling the path which ran between the border-fences of the two caravan areas. The dawn was almost up, but the caravans, grey and unlit, were not easy to spot and the van was only twenty yards away when the driver realised that his way was barred. He stamped on his brakes and skidded to a halt. A man stood up on either side of the track. They were wearing combat jackets and were carrying Hechler and Koch MP5 machine pistols. The taller of the men said, “End of journey. All out.”

The driver jerked the gear into reverse, but before the van could move a shot had slammed into the engine.