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Authorities arrested five men on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and related explosives offenses after reports emerged of three suspicious vehicles heading towards RAF Fairford, an airbase in Gloucestershire. The police declared a major incident following the early morning alert at approximately 00:45 BST on Sunday, prompting the evacuation of numerous homes in the vicinity. An Army explosive ordnance disposal team was deployed to inspect the vehicles near the base, which serves as a site used by the United States Air Force (USAF), with counter-terrorism police leading the investigation.
Residents from the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated and informed that they would not be permitted to return overnight, although officials stated their confidence that the situation was under control. Drone or aerial footage displayed a remote-controlled robot approaching white vans in a wooded area, though police have not confirmed whether this device was actually employed. A safety cordon of 400 meters was established around the scene, and a hazardous area response team was part of the extensive emergency services deployed.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham remained informed about the developing and “deeply concerning” incident at the airbase, which has a long-standing association with the American military. RAF Fairford has recently been utilized by US forces to stage operations for defensive strikes against Iran. President Donald Trump commented on the arrests, stating that the suspects had been “looking to do big damage” but were under surveillance for an extended period before being apprehended. Meanwhile, UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed communication with his US counterpart, and the US Department of Defense increased the threat level at another key base, RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, to its second-highest status.
Gloucestershire police and Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) revealed that the investigation was in its initial phase, with the five detained men still in custody on Sunday evening. The arrests were reportedly not based on prior intelligence but were made by Gloucestershire police on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, later extended to include preparation for a terrorist act. Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth indicated that authorities believed the threat to be contained. An image circulating on social media showed the moment the five men were arrested close to the airbase runway, and BBC Verify confirmed the picture’s authenticity despite the original source remaining unverified.
Local residents provided insights into the incident, with one woman reporting that she initially tried to contact the Ministry of Defence police but had to call 999 after receiving no response. She described seeing three vans and men wearing masks near the base. Several others were quickly evacuated from their homes in Whelford during the early morning hours and taken to a leisure center. Resident Julian Tudsbury recalled being awakened at 07:00 by police instructing evacuation due to a major incident, without elaboration. Another local alerted police after spotting suspicious vehicles approaching the base.
An additional resident identified only as Jeff described hearing shouting around 02:00 before witnessing police detain men outside his home in an armed operation. Gloucestershire police confirmed that displaced residents would not be permitted to return on Sunday night. Those unable to find accommodation with friends or family would be assisted with overnight housing provided by the Cotswold District Council, according to deputy chief executive David Stanley
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