A bomb-disposal robot was deployed around three suspicious vans near RAF Fairford, a British air base used by US bombers, after Gloucestershire Police arrested five men who were later held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.A video shared on X appeared to show the remotely operated machine moving around the vehicles near the Gloucestershire airfield. Aerial footage showed two vans with their rear doors open and large dark objects nearby, while the robot appeared to be trying to gain access to the third vehicle.Gloucestershire Police received a call at about 12.45am on Sunday about three suspicious vehicles apparently travelling towards RAF Fairford. Armed officers arrested five men in Whelford on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. They were subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, with Counter Terrorism Policing taking over the investigation.Police imposed a 400-metre cordon around the vehicles while the Army’s explosive ordnance disposal unit examined them. About 85 households were evacuated as a precaution. Gloucestershire Police said the immediate incident appeared to be contained.Police have not announced a motive. Reuters reported that investigators were giving greatest weight to a possible Iran link, while also examining whether Russian sabotage or an Islamist plot was involved, citing a person familiar with the inquiry.The five men remained in custody on Monday as police questioned them. Their nationalities have not been disclosed. Defence minister Wes Streeting said he would not speculate about the motive while the investigation was ongoing.
Trump says suspects were ‘looking to do big damage’
The US president, Donald Trump, said the suspects had been “looking to do big damage”.“We had them under view for a long time, and we got them,” Trump told reporters in Chicago. He said British and American authorities had been investigating the men before their arrests.A local farmer told the Daily Telegraph she alerted police after encountering the vans and seeing several men, some with their faces covered, moving towards nearby fields.RAF Fairford hosts the headquarters of the US Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron. Britain had authorised US bombers based there to strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.In July, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned Britain against allowing US bombers to fly from Fairford, saying bases used to launch attacks could be treated as legitimate targets. Tehran has previously rejected claims that it was behind attacks or plots in the UK or other countries.Security was tightened around Fairford following the arrests. Measures were also increased at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, two other British bases used by US forces.Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said officers were still gathering evidence and establishing the circumstances of the incident. Under the Terrorism Act 2000, the five men can be detained for up to 14 days without charge.
