East Devon residents fear the execution of Osama Bi Laden will do little to solve the threat of terrorism.

THE shooting of Osama Bin Laden, nearly a decade after September 11, will not spell the end of terrorism, say East Devon residents.

Many fear the execution of al Qaeda’s founder has already heightened the risk of a fresh wave of attacks on Westerners.

Bin Laden was killed during a special operation by American forces in a fortified compound on the outskirts of Abbottabad, in north-west Pakistan.

President Barrack Obama watched the drama unfold in the Situation Room, located in the west wing of the White House.

Some East Devon residents have endorsed the action taken by the United States, but feel it will do little to solve the threat of terrorism and may lead to further attacks.

Pat Moxon, 59, said: “Part of me is glad that Osama Bin Laden is dead because, while he was still living, he was a threat.

“I’ve listened to people from 9/11 and a couple of people felt they would have rather Osama Bin Laden had been captured alive, so we could find out more.

“I think, in the long term, it might have been better to capture him alive.”

She added: “I don’t feel any safer - I do feel more vulnerable.

“All we can do is be more vigilant.

“In some ways, it is good but it is what is going to happen now - the repercussions of it all?”

A former Honiton resident, John Sullivan, 69, said: “He was a vile man, but I think there will be retribution. It is not the end. He was the mastermind of al Qaeda and, I think, they are going to have a hard job to replace him, but they will replace him.”

Barry Jones, 75, said: “Personally, I think it is a good thing Bin Laden is dead, but I think there will be repercussions.

“I don’t think it makes the world any safer, as I am quite sure someone else will take over.”

Pensioner Maureen Long, of Honiton, said: “I feel very sorry for everybody.

“This is going to spread and, I think, there are going to be more problems as his own people are very upset about it.

“There are going to be repercussions; it’s not going to be over in a day and a night.

“I can’t even say yes whether America was right to kill Osama Bin Laden. Murder is never right.”

Ann Luckett, 69, of Honiton, said: “I am very pleased Osama Bin Laden is dead.

“I do think America was right to have killed him - they should have done it a long time ago.

“I don’t feel any different now he is dead.

“I just think something else will happen now.”