British counter-terrorism police have arrested five men near Royal Air Force Fairford in Gloucestershire on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, after authorities received a report about three suspicious vehicles apparently travelling towards the military airbase.
The arrests were made in the early hours of Sunday, September 27, after police received a call at about 12:45 a.m. reporting three vehicles travelling towards RAF Fairford.
Armed officers responded and arrested five men in the nearby Whelford area. The suspects were initially detained on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and were subsequently held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act under the Terrorism Act.
Counter Terrorism Policing is leading the investigation, with officers working alongside Gloucestershire Police and other agencies to establish what happened.
Police said the investigation was still in its early stages and that the five men remained in custody.
The incident triggered a major security operation around the airbase. Authorities established a 400-metre cordon around the vehicles while the Army’s specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit examined them.
About 85 households in the surrounding area were also evacuated as a precaution while the bomb disposal team carried out its work.
On Sunday morning, roads around RAF Fairford were blocked by police, while armed officers and emergency services maintained a security presence in the area.
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The incident has attracted international attention because RAF Fairford is used by the United States Air Force and has played a role in US military operations connected to the conflict with Iran.
US President Donald Trump praised the British response and said American and British authorities had been investigating the suspects.
“The arrest in the UK was fantastic,” Trump told reporters, describing it as “an amazing job”.
“We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort and working with the British worked out great … We had them under view for a long time, and we got them,” Trump added.
Trump’s comments indicate that US authorities had been involved in monitoring the suspects, although British investigators have not publicly provided details about the nature or length of any prior surveillance.
The president’s reference to the airbase as “our fort” reflected its importance to US military operations in Britain.
However, British authorities have not publicly confirmed Trump’s suggestion about what the suspects intended to do. Police have described the men as being under suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, meaning the investigation has not yet established that an attack was carried out or that the suspects are guilty.
The arrests come against the backdrop of heightened international tensions involving the United States, Britain and Iran.
RAF Fairford has been used by US military aircraft during operations connected with the conflict in the Middle East, giving the facility strategic importance beyond its role as a British airbase.
British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said he had been in contact with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over the incident, but declined to comment on the possible motives of those arrested.
Streeting said it would be inappropriate to speculate while the investigation was continuing.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government has also been briefed on the incident, with authorities stressing that protecting the public remains the priority.
Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said officers were working with Gloucestershire Police to keep the community safe while gathering evidence.
The investigation is expected to examine the three vehicles and any materials or devices recovered from them, as well as establishing the identities, movements and possible intentions of the five suspects.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the identities or nationalities of the men.
The arrests do not mean that the suspects have been charged or found guilty of any offence. They remain in police custody while investigators continue their enquiries.
Police have urged the public not to speculate about the incident and to rely on official updates as the investigation develops.
The security operation around RAF Fairford is therefore likely to remain under close scrutiny as British and American authorities assess whether the arrests were linked to a specific planned attack and whether further arrests or charges will follow.
