Five men remain in custody on suspicion of Explosives Act offences and preparation of a terrorist act after three suspicious vehicles were reported heading towards RAF Fairford early Sunday. Police declared a major incident and evacuated about 85 households.
Armed officers arrested the men in Whelford. Counter Terrorism Policing said the inquiry was at an early stage; investigators would examine any devices seized to establish details of a possible plot and its potential motivation. Aerial footage showed a bomb-disposal robot inspecting three white vans, two with open rear doors, and large black barrels nearby. A Hazardous Area Response Team was inside a 400-metre cordon.
RAF Lakenheath confirmed it was on Charlie alert, the US Department of Defense’s second-highest threat level. That confirmation came amid reports that RAF Fairford had been raised to Delta, the highest level. The US Air Force declined to discuss specific security measures, saying its personnel at Fairford remained vigilant.
