Five arrested near RAF Fairford after report of suspicious vans

Fairford, United Kingdom. Armed police arrested five men near RAF Fairford on Sunday after a report that three suspicious vans appeared to be heading towards the air base in the early hours. The men were initially arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences and were later held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.

Investigation at the base

Counter-terrorism detectives are leading the investigation. Police said they believed the incident was contained but had not identified who they believed was involved.

“We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody,” Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said. “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 while a bomb disposal unit examined the vans. Residents of a nearby village were woken in the early hours, and 85 homes were evacuated. Armed officers patrolled the site, and large machinery blocked access to the base.

Security context

The British government said Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being updated. Britain has authorised the US to use bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

In July, Britain said its armed forces were ready to protect the country from any attack after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned against allowing US bombers to fly from Fairford. The Guards said any base used to launch attacks would be a legitimate target.

Reuters witnesses reported increased security at other bases used by the US, including armoured vehicles and soldiers at the gates of RAF Lakenheath in eastern England.