FAIRFORD, England, Sep 27 – British police arrested five men near a U.S.-used military air base in southwestern England on Sunday after authorities received an early-morning report about three suspicious vehicles heading toward the installation, prompting a major security operation, the evacuation of dozens of homes and the deployment of bomb disposal experts.
Counter Terrorism Policing said armed officers detained the five men in the Whelford area, near RAF Fairford, after receiving a call at about 12:45 a.m. reporting three vehicles that appeared to be travelling toward the air base. The men were initially arrested on suspicion of offences under Britain’s Explosives Act and were later held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
The investigation remains in its early stages, and authorities have not identified the men or said what they believe their intended target may have been.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said five men remained in custody as investigators worked with other agencies to establish what happened.
“We are in the early stages of an investigation,” Evans said, adding that police were working with partners while evidence was gathered from the scene.
A 400-metre cordon was established around the vehicles, while the Army’s specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit examined them. Police also evacuated about 85 households as a precaution, with residents directed to a nearby leisure centre if they could not stay with friends or relatives.
Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said emergency services had established procedures for responding to major incidents and that the cordon was being maintained as a precaution.
“We would ask the public not to speculate but to follow official channels for updates,” Ocone said.
The incident brought a large emergency response to the rural area around Fairford, with armed officers blocking roads and restricting access near the base. Residents in nearby Whelford were awakened during the early hours and told to leave their homes while specialists assessed the vehicles.
Local accounts described a sudden disruption in what is normally a quiet village. Residents reported seeing police vehicles arrive and roads being closed as authorities moved people away from the area around the suspected vehicles.
The arrests have drawn particular attention because of RAF Fairford’s role in U.S. military operations during the war involving Iran. Britain has authorised the United States to use the base for specific military operations, including strikes against Iranian missile sites involved in attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The airfield has become an important staging location for U.S. military aircraft during the conflict. Its long runway is capable of supporting heavy bombers, including B-1 and B-52 aircraft, making the installation a significant part of the U.S. military presence in Britain.
The security operation also comes amid heightened concern in Britain about potential threats to military facilities and other critical infrastructure. British authorities have previously warned about possible sabotage activity and cyberattacks linked to hostile states, while Russia has denied accusations that it conducts hybrid operations against Western countries.
Police have not said that Sunday’s arrests were connected to Iran, Russia or any other foreign government. No motive has been publicly established, and investigators have not disclosed whether the suspects were planning an attack on the air base.
The U.S. Air Force said personnel at RAF Fairford and other bases in Britain remained vigilant but declined to discuss specific security measures for operational reasons.
“The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families,” a U.S. Air Force spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that U.S. military officials continually assess security conditions and adjust protective measures when necessary.
Security at other U.S.-used British military facilities was also reported to have increased. At RAF Lakenheath in eastern England, armoured vehicles and soldiers were seen at access points as authorities maintained heightened security.
The British government was also monitoring the situation. Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being updated on the incident as emergency services continued their work around Fairford.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the incident was being dealt with and thanked emergency responders for acting quickly.
The government’s response remained cautious while the investigation continued. A government spokesperson said emergency services had moved quickly to detain suspects and protect the surrounding community, but said it would not be appropriate to comment further while inquiries were under way.
The operation has also highlighted the increased security around RAF Fairford in recent weeks. Local residents have described heavier barriers and vehicles being positioned around the airfield’s entrances, reflecting the heightened security environment surrounding a base that has become more prominent because of U.S. military activity involving Iran.
The latest incident follows previous security concerns at British military facilities. In June 2025, Palestine Action activists broke into a British military air base in an operation that caused damage to aircraft. The group was subsequently proscribed by the British government as a terrorist organization.
For now, however, authorities have provided no indication that Sunday’s incident is connected to that earlier breach or to any particular organization.
Counter Terrorism Policing said investigators were continuing to collect evidence and assess the circumstances surrounding the arrests. The five men remained in custody while the bomb disposal team examined the vehicles and officers worked to establish whether there was any planned attack and, if so, what its intended target may have been.
Police have urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation proceeds. The cordon around the vehicles and surrounding area was expected to remain in place while specialist teams completed their examination.
For residents of Whelford, the immediate priority remained returning safely to their homes. Authorities said the evacuation had been carried out as a precaution and that they were working to restore access as soon as it was considered safe.
The investigation is continuing, and British authorities have not yet announced any charges against the five men beyond the suspicions under which they were arrested.