Five men arrested near RAF Fairford on terror charges
Police operation followed a resident's call about suspicious vehicles near the Gloucestershire airbase.
Five men were arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Armed police stopped three vans travelling towards the airbase in the early hours of Sunday morning. The operation was not intelligence-led, according to the Press Association, meaning investigators had no prior knowledge of a potential plot.
The arrests followed a 999 call from a resident who reported suspicious vehicles blocking the road and a large group of hooded men. The resident told the Press Association that their call may have disrupted the suspects' plans. Officers arrived at the scene approximately 15 minutes after the alarm was raised.
Investigation into potential state links
Counter-terror police are reportedly investigating whether Iran is linked to the suspected plot. This comes amid increased concerns about threats from hostile states. National security cases involving activity by states including Iran rose by 50% in the six months to December 2025, officials stated in March.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting declined to comment on potential Iranian involvement, stating it was too early to speculate. The incident occurred while RAF Lakenheath was on Charlie alert, the second-highest threat level issued by the US Department of Defence.
Evacuations and security measures
A 400-metre cordon was established around the area where the arrests took place in Whelford. Eighty-five households were evacuated and could not return to their homes overnight. Cotswold District Council assisted some residents in finding alternative accommodation. The Army's ordnance disposal unit examined the vehicles, which reportedly contained large black barrels.
Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed receiving reports of suspicious vehicles travelling to the base around 12:45am on Sunday. The arrested men were initially detained under the Explosives Act before being further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act under the Terrorism Act 2000. Suspects under this act can be held for up to 14 days without charge.
US President Donald Trump commented on the incident, stating the individuals were "looking to do big damage" and that authorities had them "under view for a long time". A spokesperson for the USAF confirmed their personnel remained vigilant but would not discuss specific force protection measures.
Questions this report answers
01What happened near RAF Fairford?
Five men were arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The arrests followed a resident's 999 call about suspicious vehicles and hooded men. A cordon was erected, and households were evacuated.
02Was the police operation intelligence-led?
No, the police operation was not intelligence-led, according to the Press Association. This means investigators had not known about any potential plot in advance. The arrests were prompted by a resident reporting suspicious activity.
03What were the security implications of the incident?
Counter-terror police are investigating potential links to Iran. The incident occurred amid heightened concerns about threats from hostile states, with national security cases involving such states increasing. RAF Lakenheath was on Charlie alert, the second-highest threat level.
04What measures were taken following the arrests?
A 400-metre cordon was put in place, and 85 households were evacuated overnight. The Army's ordnance disposal unit examined the three white vans involved in the incident.
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