Five arrested as counter-terror police investigate major incident near RAF Fairford

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and explosive offences after three “suspicious vehicles” were reported travelling towards an RAF base, police have said. A major incident was declared and dozens of homes near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire were evacuated following the report at about 00:45 BST on Sunday. An Army explosive ordnance disposal team has been examining vehicles near the base, which is used by the United States Air Force (USAF), as counter-terror police lead the investigation.

Residents evacuated from the nearby village of Whelford have been told they will not be able to return home overnight, but officials say they believe the incident is contained. Aerial pictures showed a remote-controlled robot approaching stationary white vans in a wooded area, though its use has not been confirmed by police. A 400m cordon has been placed around the area, where a hazardous area response team was deployed as part of a major emergency service response.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham was kept updated on the “deeply concerning” situation near the base. The site shares a long history with the American military, and has recently been used by US warplanes as a staging post for defensive strikes on Iran. President Donald Trump said those arrested had been “looking to do big damage”, adding: “We had them under view for a long time, and we got them.” UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said he had been in contact with his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth.

A USAF spokesperson said its personnel remained vigilant but did not discuss specific force protection methods. The US Department of Defense meanwhile raised the threat level at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk – which hosts the USAF’s 48th Fighter Wing – to its second-highest category. Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) and Gloucestershire police said the probe was in its early stages, with the five men still in custody as of Sunday evening.

The BBC understands the operation was not intelligence led. The men were initially arrested by Gloucestershire police and detained on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act, before being further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. Asked whether police were seeking other individuals, Gloucestershire Constabulary’s temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth told a news conference late on Sunday that she believed the matter wa…

Prime Minister Andy Burnham was kept up to date on the “deeply concerning” situation near the base. This image was circulating following the arrests of five men near RAF Fairford Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) and Gloucestershire police said the probe was in its early stages, with the five men still in custody as of Sunday evening.