Suspected Terror Plot Foiled Near RAF Fairford; Five Arrested
Local resident's 'suspicious' vehicle report leads to discovery of potential explosives.
Counter-terrorism police are investigating a suspected terror plot after five men were arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act. The arrests followed a report from a local resident who noticed several individuals acting suspiciously with three white vans.
Incident Unfolds
Gloucestershire Police confirmed that viable incendiary devices and chemicals were found in one of the vans parked near the airbase early Sunday morning. Footage from the scene shows the handcuffed men sitting shirtless, a detail that may suggest officers suspected them of wearing suicide vests. The men were arrested around 2:10 a.m. after a resident alerted authorities to the suspicious vehicles.
Julian Tudsbery, a resident of the nearby village of Whelford, stated that the initial call was made to the airbase police, who did not answer. The resident then dialed 999. Tudsbery himself was evacuated from his home around 7 a.m. and described a significant police presence with multiple patrol cars.
Bomb Squad Mobilized
Aerial footage captured a bomb disposal robot examining the three white vans parked on a rural road. The rear doors of two vans were open, revealing what appeared to be large black items inside. The Army's explosive ordnance disposal team was called to the scene. While police have not confirmed the use of a robot, they acknowledged that specialist teams would examine the vehicles.
Approximately 40 to 50 residents from Whelford were evacuated to a nearby leisure center as a precaution. The incident is understood to be led by counter-terrorism police.
RAF Fairford's Significance
RAF Fairford serves as a key command outpost for the U.S. Air Force in Europe and has been utilized for American strikes in the Middle East. The base was previously a subject of concern for Iran's Revolutionary Guard in July, who warned Britain against allowing U.S. bombers to operate from the facility.
Defense Secretary Wes Streeting stated that the situation was being managed, and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the incident was contained, commending the swift response of emergency services. Investigations are ongoing, and further comment has been deemed inappropriate.