UK: Five Arrested Over Suspected Terror Plot Near US Air Base RAF Fairford

London/ Washington, D.C. (Terror Monitor) — British counter-terrorism police are investigating a major security incident near RAF Fairford after five men were arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and committing offences under the Explosives Act.

The arrests were made early Sunday in the Whelford area of Gloucestershire, close to RAF Fairford, a major Royal Air Force base that is used by the United States military. Gloucestershire Police said officers received a report at about 12:45 a.m. that three suspicious vehicles were travelling toward the airbase. Armed officers responded and arrested five men.

The suspects remain in custody, while Counter Terrorism Policing has taken the lead in the investigation. Police have established a 400-metre cordon around the vehicles, and a British Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit has been examining them. As a precaution, around 85 households in the surrounding area were evacuated, with a nearby leisure centre opened for residents who could not stay with friends or family.

Authorities initially declared a “major incident” and restricted access to parts of the area surrounding the base. Emergency services, including armed police and specialist bomb-disposal personnel, were deployed as investigators examined the three vehicles.

Police have not disclosed what was found inside the vehicles or provided details about the identities, nationalities or possible motives of the five men. Officials have also cautioned the public against speculation while the technical examination and investigation continue.

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said police were working with national and local partners to establish the full nature of the incident. He said the operation remained focused on examining the vehicles and ensuring the safety of residents.

The Metropolitan Police later confirmed that the five men had been additionally arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, while counter-terrorism officers took over the investigation.

Trump says suspects wanted to cause “big damage”

U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that American and British authorities had been working together on the investigation and that the suspects had allegedly been under surveillance for some time.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said the men were “looking to do big damage” to the U.S.-used facility and praised cooperation between U.S. and British authorities. Reuters reported that Trump said the suspects had been under investigation and that cooperation with Britain had produced the arrests.

Trump did not provide evidence publicly to support his description of the suspects’ alleged intentions, and British police have not publicly confirmed that the men were specifically targeting RAF Fairford.

The U.S. Air Force has also declined to comment on specific security measures involving American personnel and facilities in Britain.

RAF Fairford’s role in U.S. operations

The incident comes as RAF Fairford has assumed increased significance amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The United Kingdom has allowed the United States to use the base for military operations against Iranian missile sites and other targets. The base is also a designated forward operating location for U.S. Air Force bomber operations in Europe.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has previously warned that military bases used for attacks against Iran could be considered legitimate targets. British authorities have not publicly established a direct connection between that warning and Sunday’s arrests.

British security agencies have in recent years also warned about threats to sensitive infrastructure, including possible sabotage and hostile-state activity. However, authorities have not publicly attributed the RAF Fairford incident to any foreign government or organization.

Detention under UK terrorism law

The arrests involve powers available under the UK Terrorism Act. Under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, police may arrest without a warrant a person they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist. The law provides for an initial period of detention, with further detention subject to statutory review and judicial authorization.

The maximum period of pre-charge detention for a terrorism suspect is currently 14 days, subject to the legal procedures governing extensions.

The five men have not been convicted or charged with carrying out a terrorist attack. The investigation is continuing, and authorities have yet to disclose whether any explosives or other prohibited materials were recovered from the vehicles.

Police have described the incident as contained and said there is currently no evidence of an immediate wider threat to the public.