RAF Fairford Major Incident: Five London Men, Three Vans and Up to '10 Masked Figures', What We Know

A counter-terrorism investigation is continuing after five London-based men arrested near RAF Fairford were released on police bail, with officers examining whether they were involved in a suspected plot linked to a foreign state.

The men, aged between 23 and 25, were arrested in the early hours of Sunday 27 September after police received reports of three suspicious white vans near the Gloucestershire airbase. They were detained over offences under the Explosives Act and later arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.

Counter Terrorism Policing said the men remain under investigation and are subject to strict bail conditions. Investigators are considering whether they were acting as proxies or working knowingly or unknowingly on behalf of a foreign state, although no such connection has been established.

Arrests Follow Reports Of Suspicious Vans

The investigation began after reports of three vehicles travelling towards RAF Fairford at about 12.45am. Armed officers responded and arrested the five men, who police later confirmed are British nationals from London.

The vans were examined by forensic specialists with support from military assets. A security cordon was established and about 85 households in nearby Whelford were evacuated as a precaution before residents were later allowed to return.

A local farmer who alerted emergency services said she saw a large group of hooded or masked people near the vans. She later estimated that between eight and 10 people were present and said she believed there were 'definitely more than five'.

Police have not confirmed that additional people were involved. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting thanked the farmer for raising the alarm but said she had only a 'partial picture' of the incident.

Reports that materials found in the vans were not viable explosives have also emerged, although police have not publicly confirmed the nature or viability of any suspected devices.

Foreign-State Link Remains Under Investigation

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said investigators were considering 'every possible angle', including whether the men were acting as proxies or on behalf of a foreign state. Police have not identified a country as being responsible.

The investigation has attracted comments from senior US officials because RAF Fairford is used by American military aircraft. President Donald Trump said the suspects had been under investigation and claimed they were looking to cause 'big damage' to the base.

Trump later suggested the incident 'might be' connected to Iran, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said it involved a foreign actor. Neither provided evidence publicly for those claims.

Iran has denied involvement. Its embassy in London described suggestions linking Tehran to the arrests as unfounded.

The US has been permitted to use RAF Fairford for specific defensive operations against Iranian missile facilities, adding to the geopolitical significance of the base.

Security Review Follows Airbase Incident

The incident prompted a major security response around RAF Fairford, with counter-terrorism officers continuing to examine evidence from the vehicles and surrounding area.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a COBRA meeting on Monday to review the incident and security arrangements around military installations hosting foreign forces.

The release of the five men on bail does not mean the investigation has ended. Police are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the possibility of foreign-state involvement, while no motive or responsibility has been publicly established.