Early on Sunday morning police arrested five men on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and explosives offences after reports of three “suspicious vehicles” heading toward RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The alert prompted a major incident declaration and the evacuation of dozens of homes near the USAF-operated base.
Authorities were alerted at about 00:45 BST, and Gloucestershire Constabulary, supported by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) and specialist units, responded to activity near the base’s perimeter. An Army explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team examined vehicles close to the site while officers established a 400-metre cordon. A hazardous area response unit was also deployed.
Residents of the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated in the early hours and told they would not be allowed to return home overnight. Local reports said around 85 households were affected, with some evacuees taken to a leisure centre and accommodation arranged by Cotswold District Council for those unable to stay with friends or family.
An image circulating online appears to show five men detained by police in Whelford approximately 350 metres from runway access at Crash Gate 6A of RAF Fairford. BBC Verify geolocated the photo and found it likely authentic, though the corporation could not trace the image’s original source.
Local witnesses described seeing three white vans parked in a wooded area near the base and a group of masked men. One resident said she first tried contacting Ministry of Defence police but, receiving no reply, called 999. Another resident said they awoke to shouting and saw men being held by armed officers outside their home in the early hours.
Police confirmed the five men remained in custody on Sunday evening. They were initially arrested by Gloucestershire police on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and were later further detained on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. The investigation is being led by counter-terror teams and remains at an early stage. Gloucestershire’s temporary Chief Constable, Maggie Blyth, said she believed the situation was contained and indicated there was no immediate wider threat.
Officials did not confirm whether a remote-controlled robot seen in aerial images approaching stationary vans was deployed by EOD teams, but such equipment is commonly used to inspect potentially hazardous packages or vehicles. The MoD declined to comment on operational details.
The incident drew attention at the highest political levels. Prime Minister Andy Burnham was kept informed about the “deeply concerning” development near the base. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said he had been in contact with his US counterpart. A United States Air Force spokesperson said personnel remained vigilant but declined to discuss specific force protection measures.
US President Donald Trump, speaking about the arrests, claimed the suspects had been “looking to do big damage” and said they had been monitored for some time. In response to the events, the US Department of Defense raised the threat level at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, home to the USAF’s 48th Fighter Wing, to its second-highest category.
Authorities stated that the operation was not intelligence-led, according to BBC reporting. That suggests the initial arrests stemmed from the immediate reports and local police action rather than a pre-planned counter-terror operation based on prior intelligence.
RAF Fairford has a long association with the US military and has recently been used as a staging point for US warplane deployments. The base’s role added sensitivity to the incident and helped explain the swift, multi-agency response.
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As the probe continues, counter-terror teams will be examining evidence from the scene and questioning suspects in custody. Local officials and police said they would prioritize the safety of residents and keep the community informed. For now, displaced residents remain unable to return to their homes while officers complete activity within the cordoned area.
This remains an active investigation, and authorities have not released further details about the suspects’ identities, motives, or whether more arrests are expected. Police urged anyone with information about suspicious activity around RAF Fairford overnight to come forward to assist inquiries.
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