Overview
- Police responded to a report of three suspicious vans in Whelford and arrested five men early Sunday on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.
- Counter Terrorism Policing has taken charge of the investigation and the suspects have been further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.
- The Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal unit is examining three vans with robotic equipment inside a 400‑metre cordon while about 85 nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.
- Authorities say the scene is contained, forensic and evidential work is ongoing, and no link to Iran or any state actor has been confirmed.
- RAF Fairford is a base used by US Air Force units for recent operations related to Iran, security at the site had been raised in recent weeks, and investigators say the operation followed a public report rather than prior intelligence.