Trump says terror plot suspects ‘looking to do big damage’ after arrests near RAF base used by US

US president Donald Trump has said a suspected terror plot against an RAF base used by the US Air Force (USAF) was “looking to do big damage”.

Five men were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences after armed police stopped three vans in the early hours of the morning.

Mr Trump hailed the UK police response, while suggesting authorities already had the suspects under investigation.

Speaking to reporters in the US, Trump said: “It was fantastic. Working with Britain, it was an amazing job.

“We had them under investigation. They, they were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great.

“It may have been Scotland Yard, I don’t know. We worked with a lot of them.

“We had them under view for a long time, and we got them. Thank you.”

Three “suspicious vehicles” travelling towards RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire were reported to police at approximately 12.45am on Sunday.

The men were subsequently arrested by armed officers in the Whelford area under suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act.

They were then further arrested under suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.

A resident of Whelford told the Press Association she called police after she saw three vans “blocking the road”, before spotting a “large group of hooded and ‘balaclava’d’ men”.

The resident, who asked not to be identified, said she was driving home in the early hours of Sunday morning when she saw 10 people in the road.

The resident said the RAF Fairford base was known by residents to be on lockdown due to a “terror threat”.

She called 999 after discovering the men and said police arrived on the scene around 15 minutes later.

“They would have seen the bright headlights,” she said. “They probably thought we were the police (and) panicked.”

She added: “It would appear that by doing so I just derailed whatever they were planning.

“A plucky amateur shouldn’t be spotting an unusual bit of activity at 1am when the air base is on high alert. I think it’s absolutely astonishing.”

About 85 households have been evacuated from their homes near RAF Fairford, which is used by the United States Air Force (USAF).

A major incident was declared by police and a large emergency services presence was seen in the area, including a Hazardous Area Response Team within a 400-metre cordon.

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.