Five arrested and village evacuated amid ‘major incident’ near UK RAF base

UK counter-terrorism police on Sunday said they had arrested five men on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act after three “suspicious” vehicles were seen being driven towards a US air base.

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), a specialist unit of officers from multiple forces, said officers received a call at about 12.45am on Sunday about the vehicles heading towards RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which is being used by the US Air Force for strikes on Iran .

“Armed officers responded, and five men were arrested in the Whelford area on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act,” the unit said. “They were further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act.”

Aerial footage broadcast by the BBC showed explosive disposal robots apparently being driven around vans parked on a road near the air base.