Emergency services at the scene of an incident close to RAF Fairford,, in Whelford, England, on Sept. 27, 2026. Ben Birchall/PA via AP
Five men were arrested and held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, a Royal Air Force base used by the U.S. Air Force.
Police received a call around 12:45 a.m. local time on Sept. 27 that three suspicious vehicles were heading toward the base, located nearly 100 miles west of London, according to Counter Terrorism Policing.
Armed officers responded and initially arrested the five men on suspicion of committing offenses under the Explosives Act and then further detained on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.
Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Vicki Evans said the investigation is in its early stage and they’re still trying to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“We continue to work with Gloucestershire Police to keep the community safe as we work to gather evidence from the scene,” Evans said.
“A 400m cordon has been put in place around the vehicles while the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit conducts examinations. As a precaution, around 85 households have been evacuated whilst these examinations take place.”
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This is a developing story and will be updated.
