Counter-terrorism police are investigating if a major incident near RAF Fairford has links to Iran
Five men were arrested under under the Explosives Act
Andy Burnham said the situation was “deeply concerning” and government will take “every step necessary” to protect the country
US President Trump called the arrests “fantastic”
Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether a terror plot near RAF Fairford is linked to Iran.
ITV News understands that one line of inquiry is whether representatives of the Iranian regime paid others to carry out the plot on their behalf.
Five men were arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences after armed police stopped three vans in the early hours of Sunday.
A major incident was declared, with armed police manning a cordon near the village of Whelford in Gloucestershire, near the site of the airbase which is used by the United States Air Force (USAF).
A call to police from a local just before 1am alerted authorities to suspicious activity near RAF Fairford – a site that has long been used by the US military, as ITV News reporter Charlotte Cross explains
The police operation near the village of Whelford in Gloucestershire was not intelligence-led, meaning investigators had not known about any potential plot in advance.
Police said they evacuated about 85 homes and local residents were asked to go to Cirencester Leisure Centre, one resident told reporters.
Police cordon off an area near Welford following five arrests near RAF Fairford. Credit: PA
Gloucestershire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone told reporters: “Around 12.45am today, Sunday the 27th of September, police received a call relating to three suspicious vehicles travelling towards RAF Fairford.
“Armed officers responded and subsequently arrested five men in the Whelford area on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act, the men were taken into custody, where they remain.
“A 400-metre cordon has been put in place around the vehicles while the Army’s explosive ordnance disposal unit examine them.
“As a precaution, around 85 households have been advised to evacuate while these examinations take place.
“A nearby leisure centre has been opened for those who are unable to stay with family or friends.”
Ocone said police are “working closely with our partners in counter-terrorism policing” to “establish the full nature of this incident”.
He thanked residents for cooperating by leaving their homes and said: “We appreciate the disruption that this will have caused to both them and other local residents in the area, and would like to reassure them that we are working as quickly as we can to get them back into their properties.
“We would also please ask the public not to speculate, but to follow official channels for all updates.”
“Work to establish the full nature of this incident is ongoing,” said Gloucestershire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone
The prime minister said: “The safety and security of the public is our first priority, and I want people to know that we will always take every step necessary to protect our communities and keep our country safe.”
Burnham described the incident as “deeply concerning for local residents” and urged people “not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts.”
The five men detained near RAF Fairford early on Sunday morning were further arrested on suspicion of the preparation of a terrorist act, the Metropolitan Police said.
The Met Police said in a statement: “Counter Terrorism Policing can now confirm they are leading an investigation into an incident which took place overnight near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.”
Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans 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.
“We continue to work with Gloucestershire Police to keep the community safe as we work to gather evidence from the scene. A 400m cordon has been put in place around the vehicles while the Army’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit conduct examinations.
A police helicopter flies over Fairford after a major incident was declared near the village of Whelford in Gloucestershire. Credit: PA
US President Trump said the arrests of the five men was “fantastic”.
He said: “It was fantastic. Working with Britain, it was an amazing job.
“We had them under view for a long time.”
Trump said the arrests were ‘fantastic’. Credit: CNN/ Pool
A large emergency services presence was seen in the area, including a Hazardous Area Response Team.
Gloucestershire Police said: “The Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles.
“The local residents are being evacuated to a nearby leisure centre.
“A cordon is currently in place, but we’d like to reassure people that we believe this incident is contained.
“We are working closely with our partners and are enacting the well-rehearsed plans we have in place.”
Emergency services in Fairford after major incident declared, with armed police manning a cordon near Whelford in Gloucestershire. Credit: PA
Julian Tudsbery, who has lived in Whelford for 30 years, said a resident had reported three “suspicious vans” in the village in the early hours of Sunday.
He said he was evacuated at around 7am.
Mr Tudsbery said: “(The police) were then banging on the door, so I went downstairs in my dressing gown.
“There were several police, three police cars in the drive, and they said you need to evacuate, there’s been a major incident, said he couldn’t elaborate.”
Another resident Jason, who did not want to give his surname, told reporters he heard a helicopter above the village at around 1.30am.
He said there were messages on a village chat about vans blocking one of the lanes.
“Then I went to bed,” he said. “Then we were woken up about 6am with a couple of police at the door.”
He said he did not know what had happened, but added: “There’s obviously been heightened tensions in the area, because obviously the base is used by USAF.
He added: “The police response was very rapid. They just need to clear the area now. Just hoping to go home.”
Gloucestershire County Councillor Paul Hodgkinson told the Press Association those evacuated may have to stay away from their homes overnight while emergency services work to make the area safe.
“We’re not used to something where there’s a potential terrorist incident,” Mr Hodgkinson said.
“It’s not something we’ve encountered in Gloucestershire before in recent times, and so it is worrying.
“I mean, clearly it’s destabilising. Although that’s the whole point of terrorism, isn’t it? Is to destabilise. And clearly, we don’t know yet exactly what the circumstances are,” he added.
A police operation remains in place near the village of Whelford in Gloucestershire. Credit: ITV News
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has said people “can be reassured” the incident near RAF Fairford is “being dealt with”.
He posted on X: “I would like to thank all those emergency and specialist teams who have acted so swiftly regarding the incident in Gloucestershire.
“We can be reassured that this is being dealt with, and it is exactly why our emergency response teams and Armed Forces are on standby 24/7.”
A Government spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister is being kept updated on the incident in Gloucestershire.
“We are grateful to the emergency services, who have acted quickly to detain several suspects and put measures in place to keep the community safe.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing.”
In March this year, after then prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted permission for “defensive” US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases, four American bombers landed at RAF Fairford and the US started using British bases for “specific defensive operations”.
The airbase also hosts the annual Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), though this year’s event in May was cancelled because of the military operations.
ITV News understands RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk is on Charlie alert, the second-highest threat level that can be issued by the US Department of Defence.
US airbase Lakenheath confirmed its current threat level to the Press Association.
This comes after reports that RAF Fairford has been raised to the highest threat level, Delta.
Force Protection Condition (FPCon) Charlie “applies when an incident occurs, or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action targeting personnel or facilities is likely”, according to a US government website.
Delta “applies in the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence has been received that terrorist action against a specific location or person is imminent”.
Emergency services were pictured at the scene as residents were evacuated to a nearby leisure centre. Credit: ITV News
A spokesperson for the US Air Force said its personnel based at RAF Fairford “remain vigilant”.
They said: “We are aware of the current reporting, for questions regarding off-base incidents, please contact the local authorities.
“For operational security reasons, we will not discuss specific force protection measures.
“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.
“We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families.”
South Cotswolds Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage described the situation as “worrying” but said it is believed to be “contained”.
She said on X: “I have contacted the police for further updates and I’ve been told that it is believed the incident is contained.
“I would like to thank them for the work they are currently doing.”
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