UK Police Arrest Five Men Near RAF Fairford on Suspicion of Preparing a Terrorist Act

UNITED KINGDOM — The U.S. Embassy in London said on September 27 that it is aware of arrests on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act near the Royal Air Force (RAF) base at Fairford in Gloucestershire and told U.S. citizens to exercise caution and follow local authorities.

Counter Terrorism Policing stated that at about 12:45 AM British Summer Time on September 27 (11:45 PM UTC on September 26), police received a call about three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be traveling toward the air base.

Armed officers arrested five men in the Whelford area on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act and further arrested them on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act.

The same police update said a 400-meter (1,312-foot) cordon was in place around the vehicles while the British Army explosive ordnance disposal team examined them, and that about 85 households were evacuated as a precaution.

Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said a nearby leisure center had been opened for residents who could not stay with friends or relatives.

The embassy reminded U.S. citizens that UK authorities rate the threat of terrorism in the United Kingdom as severe and that U.S.-associated facilities, gatherings, and organizations may be at heightened risk.

Official Levels

• U.S. Embassy London Security Alert, September 27: U.S. citizens told to exercise caution near the Fairford arrests; UK terrorism threat restated as severe; U.S.-associated facilities may be at heightened risk.

• U.S. Department of State United Kingdom Travel Advisory, renewed September 9: Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, terrorism indicator. The embassy said there was no change to the advisory level in that renewal.

• MI5 / JTAC national terrorism threat level: SEVERE, meaning an attack is highly likely, raised from SUBSTANTIAL on April 30 and still shown as current on the MI5 site on September 27.

What Happened

• 12:45 AM local, September 27: public call on three vehicles toward RAF Fairford (Counter Terrorism Policing).

• Five men arrested at Whelford under the Explosives Act, then under section 5 of the Terrorism Act.

• Eighty-five households evacuated; 400-meter cordon; Army explosive ordnance disposal on the vehicles.

• Gloucestershire Police: incident contained; leisure center opened.

• U.S. Embassy London Security Alert, September 27, for Gloucestershire.

• UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham: investigation ongoing; do not speculate.

• No later written police, embassy, or U.S. Air Force Fairford update by 9:13 PM UTC on September 27.

Locations Affected

• RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom: 51.68222, -1.79000. UK-owned RAF station operated by the U.S. Air Force. Headquarters of the 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron. Forward operating location used for U.S. long-range bomber missions. Police said the reported vehicles appeared to be traveling toward this base.

• Whelford, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom: 51.6886, -1.7568. Village about 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of Fairford and adjacent to the eastern end of the airfield. Site of the arrests, the vehicle examinations, the 400-meter cordon, and the evacuation of about 85 households.

UK Government Response

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the incident would be “deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country,” thanked Gloucestershire Police, Counter Terrorism Policing, and the Armed Forces, and said public safety was the government’s first priority. He said the investigation remained ongoing and urged people not to speculate.

UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting, speaking at a Labour Party conference event, said he had been in touch during the day with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and that he would not comment on the motives of those arrested or on the origin of their activity.

Official Statements

• U.S. Mission United Kingdom, Security Alert, September 27: “The U.S. Embassy is aware of arrests on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act near the Royal Air Force base in Fairford, UK. U.S. citizens are encouraged to exercise caution and be mindful of personal security. Local authorities are evacuating certain residents in the area out of an abundance of caution. We remind U.S. citizens that UK authorities rate the threat of terrorism in the UK as severe. U.S.-associated facilities, gatherings, and organizations may be at heightened risk. U.S. citizens are advised to follow instructions of local authorities for their personal safety and security.”

• U.S. Air Force spokesperson, September 27: “For operational security reasons we will not discuss specific force protection measures. The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families. We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families.”

• Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator, September 27: “We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody. As you would expect we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident. We continue to work with Gloucestershire Police to keep the community safe as we work to gather evidence from the scene. A 400m cordon has been put in place around the vehicles while the Army’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit conduct examinations. As a precaution, around 85 households have been evacuated whilst these examinations take place.”

• UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, September 27: “I know today’s incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country. My thanks go to Gloucestershire Police, Counter Terrorism Policing, our Armed Forces and all those working to keep the public safe. I am especially grateful to those residents who have been asked to leave their homes while precautionary checks are carried out. The safety and security of the public is our first priority, and I want people to know that we will always take every step necessary to protect our communities and keep our country safe. The investigation remains ongoing, and I would urge people not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts.”

• Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone, Gloucestershire Police, September 27: “The emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents. A cordon is in place as a precaution and the public can expect to see an emergency services presence in the area for some time. A nearby leisure centre has been opened to provide a safe space for anyone evacuated and unable to go to friends or relatives. We’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.”