Key Takeaways
- British counter-terrorism police arrested five men near RAF Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire.
- Residents of nearby Whelford village were evacuated and bomb disposal experts examined three vans.
- The incident was declared a major event by police and the US Air Force wing at Fairford was not involved.
British counter-terrorism police arrested five men on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act near RAF Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire, southwest England, on Sunday.
The men were initially detained on suspicion of explosives offences, and some 85 households in the nearby village of Whelford were advised to evacuate.
Army bomb disposal experts were called in to examine three vans stopped on a rural road, with broadcast aerial footage showing a robot moving around the vehicles.
The incident was declared a major event, with a 400-metre cordon put in place and armed officers guarding the entrance to the base.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham was kept updated on the situation, and a government spokesperson expressed gratitude to the emergency services for their swift actions.
The 501st Combat Support Wing of the US Air Force, based at RAF Fairford, stated that no US air force personnel were involved in the incident.
Local MP Roz Savage described the situation as 'worrying' and stated that she had contacted the police for further information.
Gloucestershire Police confirmed that the Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team was examining the vehicles, and they believed the incident was now contained.
