RAF Fairford: All we know about alleged terror plot as five men arrested near airbase

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after the bomb squad were called to a major incident near a military airbase.

Three “suspicious vehicles” were seen travelling towards RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which is used by the United States Air Force, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

US President Donald Trump has claimed the alleged plot was “looking to do big damage” to the facility, which has been used by America to launch defensive operations against Iran.

A major incident was declared and 85 homes in the nearby village of Whelford have been evacuated as British Army bomb disposal experts use robotic equipment to examine three white vans.

The suspects were arrested by armed police for alleged offences under the Explosives Act and later further arrested under suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism, Counter Terrorism Policing said.

“A 400m cordon has been put in place around the vehicles while the Army’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit conduct examinations,” Counter Terrorism Policing senior national coordinator, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, said.

Prime minister Andy Burnham, currently attending the annual Labour Party conference in Liverpool, is receiving updates on the situation.

What do we know?

Julian Tudsbery, who has lived in Whelford for 30 years, said a resident had reported three “suspicious vans” in the village in the early hours of Sunday.

“Evidently, they phoned the airbase police, who didn’t answer the phone,” he said. “It just rang out so she dialled 999.”

Police said they received the call about the suspicious vehicles heading towards the airbase at around 12.45am.

Mr Tudsbery said he was evacuated at around 7am, adding: “(The police) were then banging on the door, so I went downstairs in my dressing gown.

“There were several police, three police cars in the drive, and they said you need to evacuate, there’s been a major incident, said he couldn’t elaborate.”

Aerial footage showed a bomb disposal robot inspecting three white vans, two of which had open rear doors. Large black barrels appeared to be scattered around.

Counter Terrorism Policing later confirmed that five men had been under arrested for explosives and terrorism offences.

A woman living on the base’s perimeter claimed there had been an increase in military security at the site in recent days.

The woman, who asked not to be identified, told the Press Association: “In the prior few weeks they have put heavy, very heavy, vehicles across all gates”, adding: “Obviously they’re taking security seriously.”

Residents have been evacuated to a nearby leisure centre while the investigation continues.

Detectives are reported to be keeping an open mind but, according to The Times, one line of inquiry is whether the incident is linked to Tehran as the base has been used to launch operations against Iran.

What is RAF Fairford?

RAF Fairford, located on the border of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, is also used by the United States Air Force (USAF).

The base hosts the American 501st Combat Support Wing and has been used to launch operations against Iran during the Middle East conflict.

Four USAF bombers landed at RAF Fairford this spring after then-prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted permission for “defensive” US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases.

Following the incident, Fairford has been raised to the highest threat level, Delta, while US airbase Lakenheath in Suffolk is on Charlie alert, the second-highest threat level that can be issued by the US Department of Defence.

The circumstances around the current incident are not yet known. In July, the British government insisted it “stands ready 24/7 to defend itself” after Iran said UK airbases used by the US were considered “legitimate targets”.

The arrests also come amid heightened concerns around the threat from hostile states to the UK, with Russia and Iran among those that have used proxies to commit crimes on their behalf on British soil.

What have police chiefs said?

At around 12.45am on Sunday, police received a call relating to three suspicious vehicles which appeared to be travelling towards the air base.

Armed officers arrested five suspects in the Whelford area on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act. They were further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act.

Counter Terrorism Policing senior national coordinator, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said: “We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody. As you would expect we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident.

“We continue to work with Gloucestershire Police to keep the community safe as we work to gather evidence from the scene. A 400m cordon has been put in place around the vehicles while the Army’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit conduct examinations. As a precaution, around 85 households have been evacuated whilst these examinations take place.”

Gloucestershire Police said they have “well-rehearsed plans” for dealing with major incidents.

A Met Police spokesperson added on Sunday afternoon: “Counter Terrorism Policing can now confirm they are leading an investigation into an incident which took place overnight near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

“At around 12.45am today (Sunday 27 September), police received a call relating to three suspicious vehicles which appeared to be travelling towards the air base.

“Armed officers responded and five men were arrested in the Whelford area on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act. They were further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act.”