Counter-Terrorism Police Arrest Five Near RAF Fairford Following Suspicious Activity

Counter-terrorism police arrested five men on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and involvement with explosives after receiving reports of three “suspicious vehicles” heading towards RAF Fairford airbase. The arrests occurred early Sunday morning around 12:45 a.m. local time near the Gloucestershire airbase. Authorities subsequently declared a major incident near RAF Fairford and evacuated dozens of nearby homes. A military bomb disposal team is currently inspecting the vehicles, which belong to or are linked with the US Air Force (USAF) using the airbase. The investigation is being led by counter-terrorism units.

Residents from the nearby village of Woolfold were moved to safe locations and were not allowed to return home overnight as a precautionary measure. Officials have expressed confidence that the situation remains under control. Aerial images show white vans stopped in wooded areas and a remotely operated robot advancing, though police have not confirmed the robot’s use at the scene. A 400-meter security cordon has been established around the area. A specialist hazardous area management team from emergency services has been deployed to manage the incident.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been briefed on the situation and expressed serious concern over the incident. The site has a long history with the US military and was recently used as a temporary base for American warships conducting defensive air operations against Iran. US President Donald Trump stated that those arrested were planning significant damage and added: “We have been monitoring them for a long time and have finally arrested them.”