A suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford was foiled after a local woman called 999 and warned neighbours on WhatsApp to keep windows and doors shut. Police rushed to the scene in Gloucestershire, where five men were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.
The woman, a farmer, was driving home from a party in the early hours of Sunday morning when she spotted men "hanging around" vans on a country road. She called 999 at 12.45am on Sunday (September 27) after seeing three suspicious vans near the base used by the US Air Force.
As well as calling police, she alerted local people in a WhatsApp group, urging them to lock their doors and windows. The suspects were arrested around 25 minutes later, and the woman said she felt "quite lucky" to have spotted them.
Five men arrested and residents evacuated
Residents from 85 homes were evacuated to a nearby leisure centre, and a bomb disposal unit was seen at the scene later in the day. Counter-terrorism police are now investigating whether Iran is linked to the suspected bomb plot.
Pictures show five shirtless men being detained near the airbase. Aerial shots also showed a bomb disposal robot circling three white vans, two of which had open rear doors.
Police investigations are continuing, and a cordon remains in place around the area. The five men detained over the suspected terror plot can be held without charge for up to 14 days under the Terrorism Act 2000, meaning charges could come as late as October 11.
Witnesses describe the arrests
One local, who asked not to be named, said: "Thank goodness this woman in the village saw what she saw and had the wit to call the cops out quickly. She may well have saved a lot of lives."
Another man who took photos of the arrests said: "I couldn't tell what was being shouted but as I got nearer the window, I could see the road was being lit up by blue flashing lights from police vehicles. On one side of the road, officers had five men lined up. They all had their shirts removed. They were instructed to sit down. They were patted down by the officers and then had their shoes and socks removed."
He added: "I think they must have been there for about half an hour. The suspects were then told to get up and were walked round the corner. I lost sight of them after that but I presumed they were put in police vans and led away. This all happened just outside the perimeter of RAF Fairford."
Police statement on the investigation
Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said in a statement: "At around 12.45am today (Sunday 27 September) police received a call relating to three suspicious vehicles travelling towards RAF Fairford. Armed officers responded and subsequently arrested five men in the Whelford area on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act.
"The men were taken into custody where they remain. Counter Terrorism Policing are now leading the investigation. A 400m cordon has been put in place around the vehicles while the Army's Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit examine them.
"As a precaution, around 85 households have been advised to evacuate while these examinations take place. A nearby leisure centre has been opened for those unable to stay with friends and family.
"The emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents. Work to establish the full nature of this incident is ongoing and we are in constant communication with our partners locally and nationally.
"Gloucestershire Police's focus at this time is on the local community and I'd like to thank the residents who have left their homes this morning for their understanding and support. We appreciate the disruption this will have caused and would like to reassure them we are working as quickly as we can to get them back in their properties.
"We would ask the public not to speculate but to follow official channels for updates."
