Five men arrested over suspected terror plot against RAF Fairford are from London, say police

The suspects arrested over a potential terror plot near an RAF base used by the US are all British nationals aged in their 20s and from London, police have said.

They are a 24-year-old from Camden, north London; three men aged 23, 24 and 25 from Westminster, and one aged 24 from Willesden, north-west London.

A farmer in Whelford dialled 999 after she saw three vans and a group of masked men near the base, and dozens of homes had to be evacuated as bomb disposal teams were called in near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

The base is used by US planes to carry out bombing missions against Iran.

A police checkpoint near RAF Fairford after major incident was declared on Sunday

PA Wire

He hinted that Britain’s security services had been aware of a potential plot to target the base.

But security experts say the UK and US authorities may not have been aware of the specific terror attack which was allegedly thwarted.

On Monday, Counter-Terrorism Policing (CTP) said that multiple new lines of inquiry have emerged after investigators were working at the scene overnight.

A B1 Lancer US bomber sits on the tarmac at RAF Fairford

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CTP Senior National Coordinator, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said: “This is a hugely complex and large-scale operation, involving local and national policing, the MoD, and local agencies, who are working together to progress the investigation and support for the community.

“I know this has been incredibly disruptive for local people, but I’d like to reassure them that our activity is in the interest of national security, but most importantly in the interest of their own safety.

“I’d also like to thank the emergency services for their response, including the armed officers who first attended the scene, not knowing what they may face.

“I am very aware of the levels of speculation about the motivation behind this incident, and the geopolitical questions that are being raised. However, I ask that at this time, Counter Terrorism Policing are given the space to work carefully and clearly.”

The five suspects are being held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (Pace) and officers have been granted an initial extension under later today to hold them in custody.

A police cordon remains in place in Whelford and will be reviewed later today, CTP said.