Terror Vans Stopped: Five Held in Fairford Bomb Scare

Five men remain in custody after being arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and explosives offences near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, the Royal Air Force base that has hosted United States aircraft involved in strikes against Iran.

Police were alerted at about 00:45 BST on Sunday when a member of the public reported three suspicious vehicles appearing to travel towards the base. Armed officers responded in the nearby village of Whelford, roughly two miles from the airfield, and arrested the five men. They were first detained under the Explosives Act and later further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The suspects, who have not been named, remain in custody. Under terrorism legislation they can be held for up to 14 days without charge.

A major incident was declared. Around 85 households in Whelford were evacuated as a precaution and residents directed to a local leisure centre. A 400-metre cordon was established while an Army explosive ordnance disposal team examined the three white vans.

Aerial footage showed a remote-controlled robot inspecting the vehicles, two of which had open rear doors with large black items visible nearby. Police later indicated the incident was believed to be contained, though investigations continued into Sunday evening and some residents were told they would not be able to return home that night.

Counter Terrorism Policing is leading the inquiry in conjunction with Gloucestershire Police. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said: “We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody. As you would expect, we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident.” Senior officers stated the initial response was not intelligence-led and followed the public tip-off.

RAF Fairford, located in the Cotswolds, has a long association with the US military and hosts elements of the United States Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing. In recent months it has been used as a staging post for American aircraft conducting limited defensive strikes on Iranian missile sites that had targeted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, under authorisation from the British government.

US President Donald Trump told reporters the suspects “were looking to do big damage” and that American and British authorities had been monitoring them. “We had them under view for a long time, and we got them,” he said, describing the joint effort as successful. British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed contact with his US counterpart. Sources familiar with the investigation have indicated an Iranian-linked motive is considered among the possibilities being examined, alongside other lines of inquiry including potential Russian sabotage or an Islamist plot; police have not publicly attributed responsibility.

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A local resident who encountered the scene described finding the road blocked by the vans and seeing a group of hooded or balaclava-wearing men who scattered towards fields and woodland near the base. She called 999 and alerted neighbours. Officers arrived shortly afterwards. Images circulating online appeared to show the men being detained at gunpoint.

Security at RAF Fairford and other sites hosting US personnel has been heightened. Police emphasised that the matter is under active investigation and that further updates will be provided as appropriate. The five men remain in custody while inquiries continue.