Five men have been arrested on suspicion of "terror and explosive offences" following an incident near RAF Fairford on Sunday morning. Three suspicious vans were reported travelling towards the base, prompting a police response.
Counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the incident. According to reports, RAF Fairford is currently on its highest state of alert, and RAF Lakenheath, which also hosts US troops, has had its threat level increased.
Reports suggest that a farmer spotted individuals in balaclavas near the base in the early hours of Sunday morning, leading to a 999 call. Bomb disposal teams have reportedly examined devices found across the three vans, and approximately 85 families from nearby homes have been evacuated.
The arrests were reportedly not "pre-planned nor intelligence-led," with police launching a "last-minute" intervention after receiving the emergency call. In July, Iran reportedly threatened to attack RAF Fairford, stating that any base used to launch strikes on Iran was a "legitimate target."