British counter terrorism police have arrested five men after reports of suspicious vehicles apparently travelling towards RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, triggering evacuations, a major bomb disposal operation and a 400 metre security cordon around the vehicles.
By Open Chronicle with agencies | September 27, 2026
British police have arrested five men on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and committing offences under the Explosives Act following a major security operation near RAF Fairford, a strategically important British airbase used by the United States Air Force.
The arrests were made early Sunday in the Whelford area of Gloucestershire after authorities received information concerning three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be travelling towards the airbase.
Armed officers responded to the area and detained five men, according to Counter Terrorism Policing.
The incident prompted authorities to declare a major incident, evacuate approximately 85 households and establish a 400 metre security cordon while Army explosive ordnance specialists examined vehicles connected to the investigation.
Police have not disclosed what, if anything, has been discovered inside the vehicles.
Five men remain in custody
The five suspects remain in police custody while counter terrorism investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans of Counter Terrorism Policing said the investigation remained at an early stage.
“We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody,” Evans said.
She said counter terrorism officers were working closely with other agencies to understand what had happened and gather evidence from the scene.
“We continue to work with Gloucestershire Police to keep the community safe as we work to gather evidence from the scene,” she added.
The arrests were initially announced by Gloucestershire Police as part of an investigation into suspected explosives offences.
Counter Terrorism Policing subsequently confirmed that all five men had also been arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.
Authorities have not released the identities or nationalities of the suspects.
Bomb experts examine suspicious vehicles
Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists were deployed to examine the vehicles involved in the incident.
A 400 metre cordon remained in place while those examinations continued, with approximately 85 households evacuated as a precaution.
The security operation brought a substantial emergency response to Whelford, a village close to RAF Fairford.
Armed police, ambulances and fire crews were deployed alongside military bomb disposal personnel.
Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said the cordon would remain in place as a precaution and warned residents that emergency services would continue to have a significant presence in the area.
“The emergency services have well rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents,” Ocone said.
A nearby leisure centre was opened to accommodate evacuated residents unable to stay with relatives or friends.
Police said they were working to allow people to return to their homes as soon as conditions permitted.
“We’d like to thank the residents who have left their homes this morning for their understanding and support,” Ocone said.
“We would ask the public not to speculate but to follow official channels for updates,” he added.
Authorities said they believed the incident had been contained.
Police alerted shortly after midnight
Counter Terrorism Policing said officers were alerted at approximately 12.45 am local time on Sunday following a report concerning three suspicious vehicles apparently travelling towards RAF Fairford.
Armed officers were dispatched to the Whelford area, where the five men were subsequently detained.
The arrests under the Explosives Act reflect the immediate security concerns surrounding the vehicles.
However, investigators have not said whether explosives have actually been discovered.
That distinction remains significant as the investigation continues. The nature of any suspected devices or materials, and whether the vehicles represented an immediate threat to RAF Fairford, has not been established publicly.
Why RAF Fairford matters
The location of the incident has attracted particular attention because RAF Fairford is an important military facility used by United States forces.
The Royal Air Force base in Gloucestershire supports United States Air Force operations and has been used by American bombers during the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Britain previously authorised US forces to operate from the facility for strikes against Iranian missile sites associated with attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The base has consequently acquired greater strategic significance as tensions surrounding the Middle East conflict have increased.
Security has also been strengthened at other British military facilities used by American forces.
Previous Iranian warning increases focus on base security
The wider geopolitical environment surrounding RAF Fairford has added to scrutiny of Sunday’s incident.
In July, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned Britain against allowing American bombers to operate from Fairford, saying military bases involved in attacks could be regarded as legitimate targets.
British authorities responded by saying the country’s armed forces were prepared to defend the United Kingdom against potential attacks.
However, police have made no announcement connecting the five suspects arrested on Sunday with Iran or with any other foreign government.
There is currently no publicly established link between the arrests and the wider conflict involving Iran.
Any such connection remains a matter for investigators.
US Air Force says it remains vigilant
The United States military has not disclosed specific details concerning security arrangements at RAF Fairford following the arrests.
A US Air Force spokesperson said American military units based in Britain continued to monitor potential threats.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
The US military routinely evaluates security conditions surrounding its installations and adjusts protective measures according to the perceived threat environment.
RAF Fairford’s role in supporting American military operations means security around the facility is closely coordinated between British and US authorities.
Investigation now turns to evidence
The immediate priority for investigators is determining why the three vehicles were travelling through the area, what they contained and what the five detained men intended to do.
Forensic examination of the vehicles and other evidence recovered during the operation will be central to establishing whether authorities disrupted preparations for an attack or whether the circumstances were different from those initially suspected.
The counter terrorism arrests considerably raise the seriousness of the investigation, but the five men remain suspects and no charges have been announced.
For residents of Whelford, the investigation has already had significant consequences. Homes have been evacuated, roads restricted and bomb disposal specialists deployed to an area normally dominated by the presence of the nearby military base.
Until the examination of the vehicles is completed, the security cordon is expected to remain in place.
The incident also highlights the heightened security environment surrounding British military installations that support United States operations at a time of continuing international conflict and elevated concern over potential attacks against military infrastructure.