Police have shed more light on the investigation into a suspected terror plot foiled at an RAF base. Five people were arrested at approximately 12.45am on Sunday morning, after officers received a report that three "suspicious vehicles" were heading towards RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The base has previously been utilised by the United States Air Force during the US-Iran conflict.
Armed officers detained the five men in the Whelford area on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, before they were subsequently further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. A 400-metre cordon was put in place and approximately 85 households were evacuated as a result of the incident, with some residents who had nowhere else to go taking shelter at Cirencester Leisure Centre.
Iran links being probed
Counter terror police are understood to be investigating whether Iran is linked to the suspected terror plot at the military airbase used by US bombers. The group, detained in the nearby village of Whelford in the early hours of Sunday, were "looking to do big damage", US President Donald Trump later said.
The police operation was not intelligence-led, meaning investigators had not known about any potential plot in advance, the Press Association understands. Elsewhere, RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk confirmed it was on Charlie alert, which is the second-highest threat level that can be issued by the US Department of Defence. The confirmation came amid reports that RAF Fairford has been raised to the highest threat level, Delta.
Vehicles under examination
The Army's ordnance disposal unit continues to examine the vehicles in the vicinity of RAF Fairford, with a cordon still in place surrounding them. Temporary Chief Constable Blyth stated: "Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation which means I'm unable to provide any additional information about this, but we've asked you here this afternoon, as senior leaders of agencies in Gloucestershire, as we wanted to provide reassurance to our local communities."
She continued: "These arrests will no doubt have caused some shock and anxiety and we want those living locally to RAF Fairford and across Gloucestershire to be sure and to know that, as agencies, we are working closely together to support them. We are co-ordinating our plans through the Local Resilience Forum as local agencies – that is our normal procedures for multi-agency planning... to ensure that people are looked after and have the information that they need."
Incident thought to be 'contained'
During the press conference, Temporary Chief Constable Blyth was restricted from elaborating on numerous aspects of the investigation. She did confirm, however, that the incident is thought to be "contained", with agencies collaborating and responding to local intelligence. She stated: "Again, I can't go into details, but I can give reassurance that we believe the matter to be contained and as a set of agencies working together across Gloucestershire, we are gathering and responding to local intelligence all the time."
Mr Stanley revealed that arrangements were underway for residents who had been evacuated as a result of the incident. He explained that plans were being drawn up on a "proactive basis", which included provision for overnight accommodation. He said: "We are currently working through, with those residents affected, what their accommodation options are. Some will be staying in overnight accommodation, some will be staying with family and friends, but I don't have the exact numbers to hand."
Initial arrests by Gloucestershire Police
Temporary Chief Constable Blyth confirmed to reporters that the initial arrests were carried out by Gloucestershire Police, describing the response as "swift". "Primacy" of the investigation has since passed to Counter Terror Police (CTP). Ms Blyth indicated she would defer any declaration of the incident as a 'terrorist incident' to CTP. At the time of writing, no such declaration had been made.
Temporary Chief Constable Blyth also addressed earlier reports suggesting a resident attempted to contact airbase police after observing suspicious activity, but the call went unanswered. It was claimed this subsequently led to the 999 call which alerted police to the "suspicious vehicles". When questioned about potential changes going forward, she stated: "I would want to reassure our communities that any call into us is always acted on and any information or intelligence passed to the police is always treated really seriously. We will continue to do that, and the same will apply to my colleagues from other agencies."
Police presence to continue
Temporary Chief Constable Blyth revealed that various agencies have been preparing for major incidents and characterised the response to this situation as "normal". She explained: "The purpose of us standing here together is, as different agencies [police, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Cotswold District Council], we prepare for these sorts of major incidents all of the time, and we're very well prepared, as we have been in the last day, to do this, and this is a normal response for us."
Temporary Chief Constable Blyth confirmed that police officers will maintain a presence in the area over the coming days. When questioned about whether residents could anticipate an increased police presence, she informed the conference: "Absolutely, my officers already are out and about and will continue to be over the next few days to ensure that they are there, particularly our neighbourhood officers, to answer any queries or concerns from local residents."
Nevertheless, numerous aspects of the incident remain unclear, with Temporary Chief Constable Blyth unable to provide responses to several questions posed by journalists. No additional information was provided regarding the circumstances surrounding the five men's arrests. A photograph had been extensively shared showing five men being detained at gunpoint. No information was disclosed about the black barrels visible near the vans in drone footage, nor about when residents might be permitted to return to their homes. Temporary Chief Constable Blyth declined to comment on whether police had prior knowledge of the incident or any activity leading to this morning's arrests, or regarding claims that a controlled explosion may have been heard close to the airbase.
