UK police arrest 5 men on suspicion of terror plot near US-used air base

British authorities launched a counter-terrorism investigation after intercepting three suspicious vehicles in southwest England on Sunday. London’s Metropolitan Police and local law enforcement declared a major incident following early-morning arrests near a military installation used by American forces.

Gloucestershire Police Intercept Suspicious Vehicles

The sequence of events began when Gloucestershire Police received a call at 12:45 a.m. Sunday regarding three suspicious vehicles traveling toward the air base. Armed officers responded to the report originating from the village of Whelford, which backs onto RAF Fairford. Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said police detained five men at the scene. The suspects were initially arrested on suspicion of committing offenses under the Explosives Act before being further arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Counter Terrorism Policing subsequently took command of the inquiry, with Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans stating that five men remain in custody in the early stages of the investigation.

RAF Fairford Security and Middle East Operations Context

RAF Fairford is a U.K.-owned air base operated by the United States under an agreement dating back to the Cold War, hosting the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron. Fairford has been used by American forces for strictly limited strikes during the war with Iran, after the U.K. Government allowed the American military to use the base to strike Iranian missile sites. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned in July that any base used in strikes against Iran would be considered a legitimate target, though police have not confirmed any link between Sunday’s incident and the Iran-linked IRGC.

Emergency Evacuations and Bomb Disposal Operations

The unfolding security emergency triggered a substantial deployment of emergency services. Authorities established a 400-meter cordon surrounding the vehicles. Approximately 85 households in Whelford were evacuated as a precautionary measure, with displaced residents relocated to a nearby recreation and leisure center. Aerial footage from Sky News appeared to show a bomb disposal robot roaming between three white trucks, where large black items could be seen scattered around open rear doors. Local resident Julian Tudsbery recounted that a resident had reported three suspicious vans in the village and that police instructed him to evacuate because of a major incident.

As the five suspects remain in custody, Counter Terrorism Policing and local investigators continue to work to establish the full nature of the incident. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is receiving updates on the situation, while Defense Secretary Wes Streeting thanked the emergency and specialist teams who responded to the incident.