1 hr ago
Five Men Held After Explosives Incident Near RAF Fairford
Five men were arrested near a military air base in England.
Police had received a report about three suspicious vehicles.
The men were first held under a law involving explosives.
Counterterrorism officers are helping investigate what happened.
Army specialists checked the vehicles for possible danger.
About 85 nearby households were moved to a leisure centre for safety.
Police placed a cordon around the vehicles and said the situation was contained.
The air base is used by the United States Air Force and has supported operations against Iran.
Officials have not said whether the incident was connected to the base or whether the men were preparing a terrorist act.
Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford after reports of three suspicious vehicles.
Police initially detained the men under the Explosives Act; counterterrorism officers are leading the investigation.
Authorities evacuated about 85 households in Whelford and established a 400-meter cordon around the vehicles.
Army explosive-ordnance specialists examined the vehicles, with footage showing a bomb-disposal robot near three white trucks.
Police said the situation was contained, but officials have not confirmed a direct link to RAF Fairford or any terrorist act.
- Who
- Five men were arrested; Gloucestershire Police, the Metropolitan Police, counterterrorism officers, and the British Army are involved in the response.
- What
- A major incident was declared after three suspicious vehicles were reported near RAF Fairford, leading to arrests and an explosives investigation.
- Where
- In Whelford, near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, south-west England.
- When
- Police received the initial report at about 12:45 a.m. on Sunday.
- Why
- Authorities acted because of concerns about suspicious vehicles and possible explosives; a direct connection to the air base has not been confirmed.
Confirmed Police Assessment
Possible Security Significance
Connection to RAF Fairford
Confirmed Police Assessment
Police said the situation appeared contained but did not confirm that the arrests were directly connected to RAF Fairford.
Possible Security Significance
The incident occurred next to a base used by US forces for operations against Iran, prompting speculation about a possible connection.
Nature of the arrests
Confirmed Police Assessment
The men were initially arrested over suspected offences under the Explosives Act while authorities continued examining the vehicles.
Possible Security Significance
The Metropolitan Police said the men were being held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, although officials provided no further details.
Key facts
- Arrests
- Five men were detained, initially on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.
- Initial report
- Police received a call at approximately 12:45 a.m. about three suspicious vehicles.
- Evacuation
- Around 85 households in Whelford were evacuated to a nearby leisure centre.
- Security cordon
- A 400-meter cordon was placed around the three vehicles.
- Specialist examination
- British Army explosive-ordnance specialists examined several vehicles; footage showed a bomb-disposal robot near three white trucks.
- RAF Fairford
- The UK-owned, US-operated base hosts the United States Air Force's 501st Combat Support Wing and 420th Air Base Squadron.
- Operational context
- The base has been used by US forces for limited operations against Iranian missile sites during the war with Iran.
Quotes
Gloucestershire Constabulary
The local police force investigating the incident
“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”
m.rediff.com
“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.”
m.rediff.com
Vicki Evans
Deputy assistant commissioner of London’s Metropolitan Police
“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.”
NDTV
A US Air Force spokesperson
Spokesperson for the United States Air Force commenting on security measures at the base
“For operational security reasons we will not discuss specific force protection measures. We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families.”
NDTV
firstpost.com
Wes Streeting
Britain’s Defense Secretary
“We can be reassured that this is being dealt with.”
NDTV
Sources
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