Five men arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of preparing terrorist act
Police arrested five men near RAF Fairford on September 27, 2026, after a report of suspicious vehicles. Residents were evacuated while specialists examined the vans.
In short
- Police arrested five men near RAF Fairford on September 27, 2026, after a report of suspicious vehicles.
- Residents were evacuated while specialists examined the vans.
Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on September 27, 2026, on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act after police responded to a report of three suspicious vehicles heading towards the airbase.
Armed officers detained the men in the Whelford area following a call at about 12:45 a.m. local time, according to a police statement reproduced by The Guardian. They were initially arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
Residents were evacuated while army bomb-disposal specialists examined the vehicles. The Guardian reported that tests were continuing to establish whether suspected explosive devices were viable. The arrests do not establish that the men committed an offence.
RAF Fairford hosts US military aircraft, making security around the base particularly sensitive. The motive and any foreign involvement remained unconfirmed in the reports reviewed.
The incident disrupted nearby households as police maintained cordons and continued their investigation.
