A FORMER Swindon production supervisor has told of the increasing risks from terrorists to Westerners living in Saudi Arabia but says he is determined not to be driven out by their threats.

Steve Harvey is working in the Saudi oil town of Al-Khobar and his office is not far from the housing compound where 22 civilians were recently killed by gunmen linked to al Qaida.

He said security has been stepped up visibly in the oil-rich state but there is still a feeling of apprehension among the ex-pat community.

He said: "Most places are taking a close look at their security arrangements and there are now roadblocks and checks on all roads coming in and out of town.

"These checkpoints usually have one or two police officers stopping all vehicles with other officers in armed personnel carriers manning machine guns."

Before going abroad Steve worked for 12 years for Aggregate Industries previously Bradleys as a production supervisor at South Cerney and the company's Okus office in Swindon.

At the moment he is living in Bahrain with his wife Debbie and children Dino, 15, Josh, 11, and seven-year-old Jasmine.

Bahrain is connected to the mainland by a 22-mile causeway and Steve commutes every day to work, along with other ex-pats who prefer not to live in Saudi itself.

He said: "To be honest I am concerned about the current situation in Saudi as there is an increasing number of attacks on Westerners and the terrorists have stated they wish to rid the region of 'infidels.'

"However, it has been my choice to work and live in the Middle East and I can leave at any time.

"I do know the risks and, at the present moment, am prepared to take them.

"I am, however, taking extra precautions coming to work and am not going out around the shopping malls and restaurants in Saudi.

"In Bahrain the atmosphere is totally different and, so far, there has not been a single case of trouble towards Westerners."

Steve is working as quality assurance control manager on a submarine power cable project for ABB Contracting with Saudi ARAMCO, supplying power from land to a new oilfield called Abu Safahin the Arabian Gulf.

He said because of the worsening security situation his company now plans to move to Bahrain, which is felt to be safer.

He said: "The office where I work has increased its security with razor wire all round the building and armed guards drafted in.

"This sometimes adds to the worries of the workers as it highlights the building as being something that should be guarded where there are obviously targets inside."

Steve and his family lived in Saudi for two years before moving to Bahrain and he admitted that for a time he had felt threatened.

"There was a series of bombings during 2001-2002 that seemed to target the ex-pat community but that was linked to the illegal drink trade and did not affect my family," he said.

"Obviously the situation in Saudi is worrying, with innocent individuals being targeted but the feeling is that we cannot let these people drive us away from our jobs and our homes.

"Generally we have been treated fine by the locals. They are friendly as long as you stay within the rules of the country.

"A colleague of mine was at a restaurant after the shooting and was stopped by some locals who apologised for the actions of the terrorists saying this was the action of a few and the people were sorry the attacks had been made.

"Most locals know we are here to help them and their country.

"Over the past five years I have been invited into the homes of work colleagues and met their families and have always felt part of the life over here.

"To be honest I have not even considered moving back to the UK due to the threat of terrorism and life here in the Middle East is actually very good."

Before moving to the Middle East the family lived in Lyneham and Down Ampney.

Steve stressed the safety of his family is his priority. He did send them back to the UK for a few weeks when the invasion of Iraq was planned and would bring them home if trouble brewed.

Martin Vincent