Police have issued a major update on the investigation into an alleged terror plot at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, believed to be linked to Iran. Five men were arrested at around 12:45am on Sunday, September 27, after police were tipped off that three "suspicious vehicles" were travelling towards the airbase, which has been used by the United States Air Force in the US-Iran war.
The five were arrested on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act. At a press conference held at 6pm on Sunday, Gloucestershire Police temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said the incident is thought to be "contained". She appeared alongside interim Chief Fire Officer Nathaniel Hooton, David Stanley of Cotswold District Council and Wing Commander John Coles.
Links to Iran being probed
Counter terror police are understood to be investigating whether Iran is linked to the suspected 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. RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk confirmed it was on Charlie alert, the second-highest threat level that can be issued by the US Department of Defence, amid reports that RAF Fairford has been raised to the highest threat level, Delta.
Three vans continue to be investigated
The Army's ordnance disposal unit is still examining the vehicles near RAF Fairford, with a cordon remaining in place around them. Temporary Chief Constable Blyth said: "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 added: "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."
Incident believed to be 'contained'
Throughout the press conference, Temporary Chief Constable Blyth was unable to go into further detail about various elements of the investigation. She did say that the incident is believed to be "contained" and that agencies are working together and responding to local intelligence.
She said: "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."
Overnight accommodation being arranged
Mr Stanley said that plans were being made with affected residents who were evacuated by the incident, on a "proactive basis", including 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."
Evacuated residents can expect to not be able to return to their homes this evening.
Initial arrests made by Gloucestershire Police
Temporary Chief Constable Blyth confirmed that the initial arrests were made by Gloucestershire Police, described as being "swift". "Primacy" of the investigation is now with Counter Terror Police (CTP). Ms Blyth said she would leave any declaration of the incident being a 'terrorist incident' with CTP. At the time of writing, the incident has not been declared a terrorist incident.
Response to claims airbase police 'didn't answer phone'
Temporary Chief Constable Blyth was asked about earlier reports suggesting a resident tried to phone airbase police after witnessing suspicious activity, but the call wasn't answered, allegedly resulting in the call to 999 that alerted police to the "suspicious vehicles". Responding to a question about what might be changed in future, she said: "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."
Agencies had prepared for incident like this
Temporary Chief Constable Blyth said that different agencies have been preparing for major incidents and described the response as "normal". She said: "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."
Police to remain in area over coming days
Temporary Chief Constable Blyth said police officers will remain in the area over the coming days. Asked whether residents can expect an enhanced police presence, she told 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."
However, many details about the incident remain unknown, and Temporary Chief Constable Blyth was unable to give answers to various questions. No further details were given about the moments the five men were arrested, and no details were shared about the black barrels seen near the vans on drone footage, nor about when residents may be able to return home. Ms Blyth didn't comment on whether police had any prior knowledge of the incident or regarding a claim that a controlled explosion may have been heard near the airbase.
