A local farmer in the Cotswolds village of Whelford, Gloucestershire, derailed a suspected terrorist plot near RAF Fairford after spotting suspicious activity in the early hours of Sunday morning, leading to five arrests and the evacuation of around 85 households.
Farmer's 999 call triggers police response
Driving home from a party with a friend at around 12.45am, the farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous, noticed "three suspicious vans" blocking the road, covered in red business branding with a phone number missing a digit. She then spotted a "large group of hooded and balaclava'd men" heading towards the military site two miles away.
The woman called the Ministry of Defence, but when the line rang out, she dialled 999. "When they saw me, they ran ahead of me - some into the field and some towards the neighbouring village," she said. "I then realised that something highly unusual was taking place."
Village lockdown and arrests
Approximately 15 minutes after the call, officers swarmed the scene, and 25 minutes later, five men, all British nationals in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences. A 400m cordon was put in place as bomb disposal units searched vehicles.
Around 85 households were evacuated, with residents taken to a nearby leisure centre. One local witness described seeing the suspects lined up with shirts removed, patted down, and having shoes and socks removed before being led away.
Reactions and ongoing investigation
The farmer alerted the village WhatsApp group, warning residents to lock their doors and windows. She said she was "absolutely staggered" that it was left to a member of the public to report the incident, adding: "I believe that my 999 call foiled whatever plans they had."
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting thanked the farmer but noted she only had a "partial" picture of the incident. Counter Terrorism Policing stated the arrested men are from London, aged 23 to 25, and are being held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. Iran's London embassy "categorically rejects" any involvement in the suspected plot.
