British authorities have arrested five men near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on suspicion of terrorism and explosives-related offences, prompting the evacuation of nearby homes as security teams examine vehicles found close to the military facility.
The arrests were made shortly after midnight on Sunday following information provided by residents in the area, according to Gloucestershire police. The suspects, whose identities have not been released, remain in custody as detectives investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Police have not disclosed a possible motive.
Counter Terrorism Policing said the five men were arrested on suspicion of preparing to carry out a terrorist act, in addition to suspected explosives offences.
Vicki Evans, a senior officer with Counter Terrorism Policing, said investigators were still establishing what had happened. “We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody,” she said, adding that officers were working with other agencies to establish the circumstances.
Army bomb disposal specialists were deployed to the area, while dozens of residents were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. Police said explosive ordnance disposal personnel were examining three vehicles near Whelford, a village located close to RAF Fairford. Images from the scene showed a bomb disposal robot operating near several white vans in a wooded area. Two of the vehicles appeared to have their rear doors open, with dark-coloured objects visible nearby.
Residents reported hearing helicopters and seeing bomb disposal teams arrive during the early hours of Sunday. Authorities later carried out controlled detonations as part of the operation.
RAF Fairford is used by the United States military and has served as a forward operating location for US long-range bombers. The base is associated with the 501st Combat Support Wing and US Global Strike Command. A US Air Force spokesperson said specific security arrangements at the base could not be discussed for operational reasons.
The spokesperson said the military remained alert and would take appropriate measures to protect US personnel, civilian employees, contractors and their families. US President Donald Trump described the arrests as a successful operation, saying the suspects had been under observation for an extended period.
Trump said the men had allegedly been planning to cause significant damage to the US military facility and credited cooperation between American and British authorities.
However, British media reports, including those by the BBC, The Guardian and The Telegraph, cited sources as saying the operation was not based on intelligence gathered in advance. Those reports indicated that information from members of the local community may have played an important role in bringing the incident to police attention. The US Embassy in London subsequently issued a security alert advising American citizens in Britain to remain cautious and pay attention to their personal security.
The incident has prompted increased attention because of RAF Fairford’s role in supporting US military operations. The base has been used by American B-1 bombers and is capable of supporting long-range military missions. British authorities have not publicly established whether the arrests were connected to those operations.
A UK government spokesperson said Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being briefed on the situation and thanked emergency responders for acting quickly. The government also thanked residents for their cooperation while precautionary security checks were carried out. “It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing,” the spokesperson said.
Local residents said security around the airbase had appeared to increase in recent weeks, with one describing heavy vehicles being positioned around its gates. Another resident said the area had appeared unusually quiet, describing the base as having been under heightened security during the week.
The UK has previously allowed the US military to use RAF Fairford for operations involving Iran. The decision followed Iranian missile attacks targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. British authorities have also previously warned that the country was prepared to respond to potential attacks following threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards over the use of UK bases by American aircraft.
The investigation remains ongoing, with the five suspects still in police custody.
