A major security operation is under way near RAF Fairford after police arrested five men following a report of suspicious activity close to the Gloucestershire airbase.
The incident began in the early hours of Sunday after police received information about three vehicles travelling towards the RAF facility.
According to Gloucestershire Police, the report was made at approximately 00:45 BST.
The five men are being held on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and alleged preparation of a terrorist act.
No charges or convictions have been reported, and investigations are continuing.
Whelford Residents Told to Stay Away
The police operation has affected residents of Whelford, a village close to the airbase.
Dozens of properties were evacuated after the major incident was declared, and residents have been informed that they will not be able to return home overnight.
Emergency services have established a 400-metre cordon around the affected area.
An Army bomb disposal team has also been examining vehicles near the base.
Aerial footage showed a remote-controlled device moving towards stationary white vans in a wooded area, although authorities have not confirmed the purpose of the equipment shown.
Police Say Situation Is Contained
Maggie Blyth, the temporary Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Constabulary, said police believed the incident was contained.
Counter Terrorism Policing and Gloucestershire Police said the investigation was still in its early stages.
A photograph said to show the arrested men was circulated locally and later examined by BBC Verify. The image was geolocated to Whelford, approximately 350 metres from runway access at RAF Fairford.
BBC Verify could not establish the photograph’s original source but reported that it appeared to be genuine.
A local resident also told the BBC that she contacted authorities after seeing what she described as three vans and several masked men near the base.
RAF Fairford and US Military
RAF Fairford has longstanding links with the United States military and has been used by US aircraft.
President Donald Trump said the men had allegedly been monitored for some time and claimed they were “looking to do big damage.”
The UK Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, said he had spoken with his American counterpart about the situation.
Meanwhile, a US Air Force spokesperson said personnel at the facility remained vigilant but did not provide details about specific force-protection measures.
The US Department of Defense separately raised the security threat level at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, home to the USAF’s 48th Fighter Wing, to its second-highest level.
Police have not indicated that the investigation has concluded, and the circumstances behind the reported activity remain under examination.
