LONDON (MNN); British counter-terrorism police have launched an investigation into a “major” incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after five men were arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, authorities said Sunday.
The suspects were detained in the early hours after police received an emergency call reporting three suspicious vehicles apparently travelling towards the airbase. The men were initially arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.
Police cordoned off an area around the vehicles and called in army bomb disposal experts to examine three vans stopped on a rural road. Around 85 households in the nearby village of Whelford were advised to evacuate as a precaution, with residents directed to a local leisure centre.
Counter Terrorism Policing said it was leading the investigation into the overnight incident and confirmed that the situation was believed to have been contained. A 400-metre cordon was established around the scene, while armed officers were deployed near the entrance to the airbase.
Aerial television footage showed a bomb disposal robot examining the vans, two of which had their rear doors open.
Gloucestershire Police had earlier declared a “major incident” following the arrests. Authorities said investigations were continuing and did not immediately disclose the identities or nationalities of the suspects.
Government officials said Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being kept informed. A government spokesperson praised emergency services for acting swiftly to detain the suspects and protect local residents, while stressing that further comment would be inappropriate while the investigation remained ongoing.
Defence Minister Wes Streeting also thanked the emergency and specialist teams involved, saying the incident was being dealt with.
RAF Fairford is home to the US Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing. The US military unit said no US Air Force personnel had been involved in the incident and that it was working closely with British authorities to maintain the security of military personnel and the surrounding community.
Local MP Roz Savage described the situation as worrying but said she had been informed by police that the incident was believed to be contained.
The incident comes amid wider British concerns over hostile-state activity and security threats. Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood has previously accused Iran and Russia of using proxies to carry out criminal activities in Britain, allegations both countries have disputed in various contexts.
Earlier this month, reports said British military sites had been targeted by drones more than 300 times over the previous year. The Defence Ministry did not identify those responsible, although the figures emerged amid European concerns over suspected Russian hybrid operations.
In March, then-prime minister Keir Starmer approved the use of two British bases, including RAF Fairford, for “defensive” US military action against Iranian missile sites. Britain also said in July that its armed forces were prepared to protect the country after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned against allowing US bombers to operate from Fairford.
