Five UK nationals arrested after three suspicious vehicles were reported travelling towards RAF Fairford are now being held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act as well as offences under the Explosives Act, UK Defence Journal understands.

The men were arrested in Whelford early on Sunday morning after Gloucestershire Constabulary received a call at around 12.45am concerning three vehicles travelling towards the US-operated airbase. Armed officers responded and detained all five, while an Army explosive ordnance disposal team was deployed to examine the vehicles and a 400-metre cordon was established around the scene.

Counter Terror Police say that specially trained Counter Terrorism Policing investigators examined the scene overnight and carried out further activity which has generated multiple new lines of enquiry. Significant numbers of resources, including military assets, remain deployed at the location while investigators continue their work.

We understand that the five men are being detained on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act. They are:

  • A 24-year-old man, resident in the London Borough of Camden, UK national.
  • A 24-year-old man, resident in the London Borough of Westminster, UK national.
  • A 25-year-old man, resident in the London Borough of Westminster, UK national.
  • A 23-year-old man, resident in the London Borough of Westminster, UK national.
  • A 24-year-old man, resident in the London Borough of Willesden, UK national.

The men are being held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and that a custody extension has been secured until later today.

Counter Terrorism Policing said: “At this time, we are working to establish the full circumstances of the activity of those arrested, their knowledge and any motivation behind this incident.”

We understand that a cordon remains in place at the location and is due to be reviewed later today, while substantial policing resources and military assets remain at the scene.

Counter Terrorism Policing said: “The nature of this investigation means significant numbers of resources, including military assets, remain deployed at the location, and we thank the public for their ongoing support. We are working hard to minimise disruption to local communities, but ask for their patience, as our work continues at the scene.”

The force added: “Specially trained CTP investigators have been examining the scene overnight and have been carrying out a range of activity, which have led to multiple new lines of enquiry.”

Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said: “This is a hugely complex and large-scale operation, involving local and national policing, the MOD, and local agencies, who are working together to progress the investigation and support for the community.

“I know this has been incredibly disruptive for local people, but I’d like to reassure them that our activity is in the interest of national security, but most importantly in the interest of their own safety.

“I’d also like to thank the emergency services for their response, including the armed officers who first attended the scene, not knowing what they may face.

“I am very aware of the levels of speculation about the motivation behind this incident, and the geopolitical questions that are being raised. However, I ask that at this time, Counter Terrorism Policing are given the space to work carefully and clearly.”

The arrests followed the initial Gloucestershire Constabulary response on Sunday, when police said around 85 households had been advised to evacuate as a precaution while the vehicles were examined. A nearby leisure centre was opened for residents unable to stay with family or friends.

In its first detailed statement, Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “At around 12.45am today, Sunday the 27th of 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.”

The force added: “A 400 metre cordon has been put in place around the vehicles while the Army’s explosive ordnance 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 who are unable to stay with family or friends.”

Police had already confirmed on Sunday that counter-terrorism officers were involved. Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “The emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents such as this. Work to establish the full nature of this incident is ongoing, and we are in constant communication with our partners, both locally and nationally. In particular, we are working closely with our partners in counter-terrorism policing.”

UKDJ understands that investigators are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the activity of those arrested, including their knowledge and any motivation. Counter Terrorism Policing has not publicly attributed the incident to any organisation, ideology or state.

George Allison
George Allison
George Allison is the founder and editor of the UK Defence Journal. He holds a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and specialises in naval and cyber security topics. George has appeared on national radio and television to provide commentary on defence and security issues. Twitter: @geoallison
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64 COMMENTS

  2. UK nationals?
    I’m just a little curious as to whether they were born in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
    It’s possible that they’re all members of the Manx Liberation Army or The People’s Liberation Front of Guernsey.
    As I said, I’m just a little curious. That’s all!

      • Lots of white people get second passports. Lots of remainers for example, have suddenly discovered Irish heritage because they once had a Guinness. Meanwhile wealthy Chinese think it is safer to have an Australian or Canadian passport. Many rich Russians have bought Maltese passports among others.

      • @ Tullzter
        It’s quite obvious that it is you who are the racist. There are many “brown” people born in England, Wales, Scotland and NI. There are many non- brown people born outside as well. You clearly believe that people born in these countries can only be all white or non-brown.

        You are the only one that has mentioned colour or race.You’re an awful bigoted racist. Shame on you.

  3. Fortunately, this operation was brought down by chance. We’ve already heard the “do not speculate” drill several times since yesterday morning. It could have gone a very different way.

    Will the government take stock and see that the 26,000 on the monitoring register woefully fails to account for half the risks? Yet it keeps cutting security service budgets. One day, those who wish us harm will pull off a spectacular.

    • Ah, are those the 26,000 “British” who are not the enemy within, not a threat, fully integrated, and it’s all Russia’s fault anyway, and we have to be quiet and not protest about the lack of integration as we’ll all be racist or Reform/far right/right ( take your pick of options broadcast) morons for daring to mention it?
      Them.
      What interested me most was the reported 10 minute response time of CTP, implying a starting location far closer to the ones in that region I’m aware of regards Spooks/CTP.

      • Yeah, you don’t normally get that kind of response if you call the rozzers and tell them 3 dodgy looking vans are parked near my house. They were on to them.

        • Agreed mate. My guess is that the intelligence community has been aware of this for some time and waited to catch them in the act.
          Why else were heavy vehicles and barriers placed at certain spots beforehand by the USAF? This is intelligence led.
          I’ve not seen any photos of suspected SF yet, as you often see when CTP attend terrorist incidents, will be interesting when details finally emerge.
          Luckily for them, they weren’t shot dead like the IRA were when about to commit an atrocity there’d be an outcry from the usual suspects.

    • “Fortunately, this operation was brought down by chance”

      That makes me remember of 11 September attack and how close in a couple of times it could have been discovered.

    • Agreed, in fact my uniformed organisation now pushes out is annual weeks refresher package with 50/50 split of Muslim terrorist and Right wing terrorist package, yet also states that nearly 80% of all terrorist actions are by Muslims, with no uplift on security service numbers! This necessitates a shift in policy and action with zero increase of funds, people and impact ensuring a reduced impact and success rate! This is a good example of how the hierarchy has been captured politically in its fear of being seen to be not being diverse enough and the political interference of political ideology.

  4. When the phrase, “UK NATIONALS” is used so quickly, it usually means their name is not George Fox or John Smith. I’ll also be curious to hear the names.

    • Have a look on Special Ops Magazine on Facebook, if your on SM.
      Unblurred photo of 4 of the men is on there, assuming it’s actually legit.

        • With faces obscured. The photo I’ve seen is clean, but also read a claim it’s been doctored. Got to be careful of photo’s on SM until verified.

      • The spec OPPs picture is definitely AI enhanced.. Let’s just say they have all been ethnically enhanced a certain way in the spec OPPs picture.. from what looks like typical mixed London group where you would struggle to give an ethnic identity across the group to a purely classic Middle Eastern ethnicity for all of them.

        • So what is the agenda behind that?
          I suspect it is to get the usual something going ie. ‘brainless, racist bigots start spouting utter nonsense’

      • A Dog born in a Stable isn’t a Horse either. HMG are so sensitive of the increasing outcry when migrants, illegals, whoever, commit an offense the British or UK national or mentally ill line is wheeled out early to try to dampen the response, which happens as so many of these incidents are from that demographic, ie not white middle class doctors, nurses, and little old ladies from Tunbridge Wells that it’s the default position for so many, and rightly not always valid.
        I describe myself as “British” and proud to be so, where’s my Wife insists on being English.
        You can identify as being from Mars with pink and yellow spots for all I care as long as you integrate and are loyal to my country when living here.
        If you don’t, it’s a problem.

        • there isn’t a single country with a perfect integration, crime exists anywhere and going by your logic, whoever commits a crime isn’t integrated however in reality, crime isn’t always commited by migrants…hence the paradox of your statement (and previous statements)

        • A palomino born in a shire horse stable is also a horse, so your analogy doesn’t hold. Sorry, like it or not they are likely to be legally Brit Citz just like us! I agree with your integration point – but it’s never simple… class prejudice, whilst different to the past, is still a real way of saying to someone, “You don’t belong here”. Not everyone is welcome everywhere, even when they’re white – travellers being a classic example. Plotting against your own country is treason. I could suggest a few high profile politicians on the right and left who might be guilty of that! But I won’t as I can’t afford the lawyers.

          • No Wyn, DR’S analogy makes much more sense.
            A naturalised citizen, or a dual national (even if born in the UK), or a citizen (even if born in the UK) who has a path to claiming dual citizenship, such as Shamima Begum, can have their citizenship legally revoked. A sole national, born in the UK, but with no path to claiming dual citizenship, cannot have their citizenship revoked no matter the circumstances. – British Nationality Act 1981.
            So the the sole British national is the horse in the stable and can only be a horse. The citizen can either be a dog or a horse in the stable.
            Apologies for being pedantic.

          • Your horse analogy does not stand up as most stables don’t have horse specifics on the door, a stable is a stable, be it for Shires or otherwise (at least not in the stables I go and work/ride on) so I take it your not a horse person! Your class concerns are also not relevant on this situation as your using it as a generic argument as opposed to a specific situation! Travellers being your example, a weak one as they purposefully excluded themselves from the rules of society but argue the ones when they need them! However your point about certain political entities is a correct one!

  6. Well then we can slim it down a bit

    They are still being held under both terror and explosives laws so we can maybe assume it’s the very nasty side of thing.

    They were masked, which is a bit silly if your trying to not be obvious, but sensible if you don’t want to be found.. and they gave up, so not full on want to die for their cause types.

    The photo in the main media looks like a mixture of any young hoodies.

    They are British citizens

    So we get to opinion.. to my mind this means it’s possibly:

    1) political, some anti western political group decided to step it up or it was riled up by external state actors
    2) a paid group by an external state actor.

    Personally my view is I would lay money on a Russian/iran rooted grey warfare event with deniable UK cut out traitors.

  7. Man, does Westminster just radicalise you different to other Boroughs or what… 3 of 5 from there. Oh well, be interesting to see what their passports say they’ve been doing for the last 5 years.

  8. One thing that I don’t like to hear is that US Personnel stopped and interrogated locals – including children… see BBC … I don’t think they should be outside the fence, all that should be done by UK police and forces. Am I roght?

    • I read that too, and that’s my understanding as well.
      USVF, US Visiting forces are arned and inside the wire, the MoD Police and MPGS ( not they’re not this location though AFAIK ) just MDP, have jurisdiction outside the fence and in the surrounding area.

  10. The political grey warfare continues on this one.. now the trolls are giving every false flag opp under the sun.. if you can think of it there is now a troll farm near Moscow pumping it out…

    • Whoever is responsible for this, methinks that may have been there aim! Otherwise that was a dogging session which has gone well pear shaped!

      • Yes from the news it’s is looking more and more like everyone got an over excited about a few likely lads from the eastend, doing stuff they shouldn’t in the countryside.

        To be honest I was always a bit suspect about the whole balaclava thing.. what hardened do and die terrorist wanders to a target with a van load of explosives and sticks a balaclava on… what are they going to do after the attack.. stick his nose or ear in a police lineup.

    • I may go back to a thought I had yesterday.. idiots playing let’s shut down the base student politics” not really getting the fact they risked being shot dead..

      It’s not like idiots in this country have not already done it to the RAF..

    • Of course… one of them is bound to meet up with someone and a whole trail will be uncovered. You need to watch more telly!

    • Clearly explosives were not involved. Having EOD attend was clearly a prudent precaution; it doesn’t mean that explosives were actually in the vans. Arresting the men under the Explosives Act is a device to ensure CT officers can attend and investigate.

  15. Ooops a fresh air knock by the looks of it. Given the logo on the vans I hope they weren’t out nicking heating oil, there’s a lot of that going on at the moment. I wonder of Trump has just blown the gaff on another big target op yet to come to fruition and these tools in the vans were something entirely different? Nice to see the side gate left unguarded on the most recent dash cam video released by Joe Public. Do the Yanks not realise there is a war on? They ought to the dumbass loons started the bloody thing.

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