Key Takeaways
- British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences.
- The incident occurred after a tip-off about three suspicious vehicles heading towards the US airfield.
- Residents of a nearby village were evacuated and armed officers patrolled the site.
British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford in the west of England on Sunday, following a tip-off about suspicious vehicles heading towards the US airfield. The men were arrested by armed officers and are currently in custody on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.
Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans stated, 'We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody.' She added, 'As you would expect, we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident.'
A 400-metre cordon was established around the base as the bomb disposal unit investigated the vans. Local residents were evacuated, and armed officers were patrolling the site. The incident led to increased security at other US bases in the UK, with armoured vehicles and soldiers at the gates of RAF Lakenheath in eastern England.
The British government, which has authorised the use of bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites, is closely monitoring the situation. Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being updated on the incident. In July, Britain declared its armed forces ready to protect the country from any attack after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned against allowing US bombers to fly from Fairford.
Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said, 'The emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents. A cordon is in place as a precaution and the public can expect to see an emergency services presence in the area for some time.'
The Daily Mail website carried a photograph of the five men without shirts who were arrested. A spokesperson for the US Air Force declined to discuss specific force protection measures, stating, 'The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families.'
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Britain and Iran, with the UK authorising the use of its bases for strikes against Iranian targets. The government is also concerned about potential sabotage operations by Russia, and has briefed critical infrastructure providers on the threat.
We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody.
Vicki Evans, Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator
The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families.
US Air Force spokesperson, 501st Combat Support Wing
