Five men are in custody after police acted on a tip about suspicious vehicles near RAF Fairford, sparking a large cordon and evacuations.
In the early hours of Sunday, 27 September, a call reached the emergency services reporting three vans moving toward the United States-operated airfield at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The report, received at approximately 00:45 GMT, triggered a swift deployment of armed police, specialised bomb-disposal units and a coordinated evacuation of local residents.
Rapid police response and arrests
Within minutes, Counter Terrorism Policing officers arrived on the scene and detained five men in the hamlet of Whelford. The suspects were taken into custody on suspicion of violating the Explosives Act and, more seriously, on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, confirmed that the investigation was still in its infancy but emphasized that the five individuals remain behind bars.
Securing the area: cordon and bomb disposal
A 400 m security cordon was erected around the three vans while the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team conducted a thorough examination.
Explosive ordnance disposal units are trained to handle and neutralise suspected devices, and their presence indicated that authorities treated the situation as potentially high-risk. During the operation, a wheeled robotic unit from the Army was observed maneuvering around the vehicles, a visual reminder of the seriousness of the threat.
Evacuation and community support
As a precautionary measure, approximately 85 households were ordered to leave their homes. Residents were directed to a nearby leisure centre, which was quickly transformed into an emergency shelter offering tea, coffee and bacon sandwiches. Councillor Paul Hodgkinson described the episode as “destabilising” and noted that this level of disruption was unprecedented for the area. The local authority pledged that supplies would continue to be delivered until the cordon could be lifted and residents could safely return.
Official reactions and political commentary
Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his social-media platform to reassure the public, stating that the safety of the community remained the government’s top priority and urging people not to speculate while the investigation unfolded. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting thanked the emergency services for their professionalism, highlighting the “well-rehearsed plans” that enabled a rapid and coordinated response.
Across the Atlantic, the United States expressed awareness of the incident. A spokesperson for the US Air Force, which operates the 501st Combat Support Wing out of RAF Fairford, confirmed that the base remains vigilant but declined to comment on tactical details. Former President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters, praised the arrest as a “fantastic” result of joint British-American investigative work, claiming the suspects had been under surveillance for an extended period.
Legal context and possible detention length
Under the Terrorism Act 2000 individuals arrested on terrorism-related suspicions can be detained for up to 14 days without charge, a longer period than the standard 24-hour limit for ordinary offences. This means the five men could remain in custody until mid-October if further evidence is required. The legislation also permits police to conduct stop-and-search operations without a warrant when they have reasonable grounds to suspect terrorist activity.
Background on RAF Fairford and regional tensions
RAF Fairford has been a focal point of international attention since March, when US B-1B Lancer bombers launched the first strikes against Iran from the base. The airfield’s strategic role has drawn warnings from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has declared that facilities used to attack Iranian soil could be legitimate targets. While officials have not linked the Sunday arrests directly to Iran, the proximity of the incident to an airbase involved in Middle-East operations has fueled speculation in the media.
In the meantime, authorities continue to gather forensic evidence from the vehicles and surrounding area. Anyone with information that could aid the investigation is urged to contact the Anti-Terrorist Hotline at 0800 789 321 or submit details via the government website gov.uk/ACT.
