Armed police officers work on a road outside the perimiter of the RAF Fairford airbase, after police declared a major incident at the base after several men were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 27, 2026.
At 12.45am local time, Gloucestershire police received a call from a resident of Whelford, relating to three suspicious white vans travelling towards RAF Fairford. About 85 households in Whelford were woken up by police early Sunday and forced to evacuate their homes owing to fears the vans contained explosive materials. LONDON: Five men were arrested by police early Sunday morning in a tiny village in UK’s Gloucestershire on suspicion of preparing terrorist attacks at a military base used by the US Air Force. Armed officers responded and arrested five men on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act. They were then further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. Photos showed the suspects lying in the road shirtless and handcuffed surrounded by armed officers. Their nationalities are not yet known. Many are now staying in a local leisure centre with their pets.
On Sunday night, they remained in custody and counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation.