Counter-Terrorism Investigation Underway After RAF Fairford Arrests

A major counter-terrorism investigation was launched near RAF Fairford after five men were arrested following reports of suspicious vehicles close to the military airbase.

The incident began shortly after midnight on Sunday, when police received a call about three suspicious vehicles apparently travelling towards the airbase. Armed officers responded and arrested five men in the nearby village of Whelford. The men were initially arrested over suspected offences under the Explosives Act before being further arrested on suspicion of the preparation of a terrorist act.

A 400-metre cordon was established around the vehicles while Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists examined them. Around 85 households were evacuated as a precaution, with residents directed to a nearby leisure centre while the operation was carried out.

The five suspects were all UK nationals and were aged between 23 and 25. Police later identified them as a 24-year-old from Camden, three men aged 23, 24 and 25 from Westminster, and another 24-year-old from Willesden in north-west London.

The investigation has involved local and national police, the Ministry of Defence and other agencies. Counter Terrorism Policing described the operation as a “hugely complex and large-scale operation”.

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."

Farmer raises the alarm

The police response began after a local farmer noticed three vans parked in what she described as a “weird formation” in a “loop” in Whelford.

“When you live in Whelford, you notice everything,” she said, explaining that residents know the people and vehicles normally found in the village.

The farmer said the vans had “strange signage” and that she initially thought something was wrong.

“I looked at it and thought ‘that is not real’,” she said.

She stopped to look at the vehicles and attempted to call a phone number displayed on one of the vans, but the call did not work.

As she turned around, she said she saw a “large group” of men who appeared to panic after noticing her. She described them as wearing similar clothing with their faces covered.

The farmer first tried contacting the Ministry of Defence Police and the base liaison number.

“The phone rang and rang and rang,” she said.

She then called 999 and alerted other residents through a local WhatsApp group.

“Literally within five minutes it all kicked off," she added. "There were armed police, a helicopter.”

The farmer later told the BBC that she was “100% certain” she had seen between eight and 10 people fleeing towards trees. She said the group appeared not to be local, based on their behaviour rather than their appearance.

Residents reported earlier security concerns

Other residents also described unusual activity around RAF Fairford in the days before the arrests.

One villager reported seeing a man wearing a backpack emerge from bushes near the airbase at around 05:30 BST on Friday.

On Saturday afternoon, another resident walking their dog said armed police told them to return home and stay indoors. A third resident said local people were told to go home by armed officers just hours before the arrests.

Whitehall sources told the BBC that the operation was not “intelligence-led”. Police have urged the public not to speculate about the circumstances or possible motive while investigators continue their work.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said:

"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.”

Possible motives remain under investigation

The incident has led to speculation about whether the suspects could have been acting on behalf of a foreign state. RAF Fairford is an important base for the US Air Force and has been used in recent military operations involving Iran.

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said the base is strategically important to the United States.

“It’s incredibly useful strategically for the US to have this platform,” he said.

Gardner also discussed previous restrictions on the use of British bases in military operations involving Iran. However, police have not publicly confirmed that Iran was responsible for the incident.

Streeting said authorities were not yet in a position to identify the suspects' motives.

"At this stage in the investigation, I'm not in a position to comment on the identities of these individuals, or their aims and motivations," he said.

He added that more information about the suspects and their backgrounds would be provided as the investigation developed.

"We know that it is a matter of public record, that the Iranian regime is one that would do harm to our interests and to our allies given the chance, and I'm proud of the work that we do, all year and every year, to detect and to deter and prevent Iran from carrying out acts of harm."

Investigation continues

Counter Terrorism Policing said investigators were examining the circumstances surrounding the suspects, their knowledge of the activity and any possible motivation.

The five men were initially held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. By 29 September, all five had been released on bail while the investigation continued. Police have not publicly confirmed who, if anyone, was behind the suspected plot.

Authorities have continued to investigate multiple possible lines of inquiry and have asked the public to avoid speculation while investigators establish the facts.

RAF Fairford remains a significant military facility used by the US Air Force, making the incident a major security concern for both British and American authorities.

The investigation remains ongoing. More information is expected as the investigation continues.