Five men have been arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and explosive offences at a Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Fairford, Gloucestershire. A major incident was declared on Sunday, Sept. 27.
What was the response?
The incident occurred just days after an RAF jet crashed during a training exercise in Wales.
The police were alerted after a farmer arrived home and saw masked men in vans blocking the street. The men fled into nearby fields and towards a neighbouring village before being arrested. The farmer initially called the Ministry of Defence police in Fairford but received no answer. Officers found explosives on the vans just minutes from the base.
An image showed five shirtless men being handcuffed by police, while aerial footage showed a bomb disposal robot approaching the vans.
A bomb disposal team was deployed to the village to examine a number of vehicles believed to be driven by the men. Counter Terrorism Policing are leading the investigation.
In a statement, Gloucestershire Constabulary said:
“At around 12.45am today (Sunday, Sept. 27) police received a call relating to three suspicious vehicles travelling towards RAF Fairford. Armed officers responded and subsequently arrested five men in the Whelford area on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act.”
In a post on X, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“I know today’s incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country.”
He thanked Gloucestershire Constabulary, Counter Terrorism Policing and the armed forces. Burnham continued:
“The investigation remains ongoing, and I would urge people not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts.”
The Daily Telegraph reported that police are allegedly investigating a link to Iran and suspect they are most likely behind the plot.
U.S president Donald Trump told reporters:
“We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great.”
Eighty five houses were evacuated following the incident with many residents told they could not return to their houses on Sunday night. Locals sheltered in the nearby leisure centre.
What is RAF Fairford used for?
RAF Fairford has been used as an operating location by the US Air Force for several years. The British and American governments came to an agreement for it to be used for Strategic Air Command and again in the first Gulf War.
On March 1, former Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave permission for the US to use UK airbases to carry out missions in the Middle East, including defensive air strikes on Iran.
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