Locals Express Concern Over Communication Following RAF Fairford Arrests

A Whelford resident, who took a widely circulated photograph of five men arrested at RAF Fairford on Sunday, said communication from the military base following the major security incident has been inadequate.

"I saw the guys being arrested outside the house on Sunday morning and went back to bed and thought, 'oh, well they've got them now'," the resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told BBC News. "Then all hell broke loose at half past six in the morning."

The resident, who lives in the village adjacent to the airbase, added that at a police information point held at Fairford Community Centre, locals felt police did not have enough information to share.

"Going forward, what's going to happen?" the resident questioned. "Recently I think [the base's] communication with the local population has been poor. I can see why people do feel unsafe."

A major investigation was launched after the five men were arrested at RAF Fairford on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act. The men have since been released on bail.

Earlier, Counter Terrorism Policing announced that a 27-year-old man, identified as a dual UK-Iranian national, was arrested in London on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts. A second man, aged 26, has also been questioned under caution.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak commented on Wednesday that he believed Iran was involved in the Fairford incident.

The US Air Force, which operates from RAF Fairford, has been approached for comment.