British counterterrorism police have arrested five men near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on suspicion of Explosives Act offences and, subsequently, preparation of a terrorist act.
Counter Terrorism Policing said officers received a call at about 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, September 27, concerning three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be travelling toward the airbase. Armed officers responded and arrested the five men in the Whelford area. All five remained in custody as investigators worked to establish the circumstances.
Bomb disposal teams examine three vehicles
Police established a 400 metre cordon around the vehicles while an Army explosive ordnance disposal unit carried out examinations. Around 85 households were evacuated as a precaution, with displaced residents directed to a nearby leisure centre.
Images reported by Reuters showed five topless men being arrested. Police have not publicly explained why their clothing was removed. Local reports suggested officers may have been checking whether the men were carrying explosive devices, but that specific explanation has not been officially confirmed.
Authorities have not released the suspects’ names and have not publicly established a motive, organisational affiliation, nationality or connection to any state. Police have urged the public not to speculate while evidence is gathered.
Why RAF Fairford matters
RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force installation that hosts U.S. Air Force personnel. During the 2026 conflict involving Iran, U.S. B-1B and B-52 strategic bombers operated from the base. The British government has said it authorised U.S. use of British bases for specific and limited action against Iranian missile facilities.
That makes the location strategically significant, but the proximity of the arrests to the base does not by itself establish the suspects’ intended target. As of the latest official update, counterterrorism investigators had not publicly said whether RAF Fairford itself was the object of any alleged plot.
