UK Police Arrest Five Near US Air Base After Tip-Off on Suspicious Vans

British counter-terrorism police arrested five men near a United States air base in western England on Sunday after receiving an early-morning tip-off about three suspicious vehicles heading towards the site.

According to police, a call was made in the early hours reporting the vehicles travelling towards RAF Fairford. Armed officers detained the five men, who were later held on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. Investigators said they believed the incident was contained.

"We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody," said Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing. "As you would expect we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident."

A 400-metre cordon was established around the base while a bomb disposal unit examined the vans. Residents of a nearby village were woken in the early hours and 85 homes were evacuated. Armed officers patrolled the site, and large machinery blocked access to the base.

Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone told reporters that emergency services had well-rehearsed plans for 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," he said.

The base has been used by the US to launch strikes on Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and Britain authorised the use of bombers based at Fairford for that purpose. In July, Britain said its armed forces were ready to protect the country after Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned it not to allow US bombers to fly from Fairford, describing any base used for launches as a legitimate target.

Police have not said who they believe was involved in Sunday's incident. Security was also reported to have been increased at other US-used bases, with armoured vehicles and soldiers seen at the gates of RAF Lakenheath in eastern England.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being kept updated on the situation, the government said. A US Air Force spokesperson declined to discuss specific force protection measures but said the 501st Combat Support Wing and other UK-based wings remained vigilant and would take appropriate actions to ensure the safety of service members, civilians, contractors and their families.

British ministers have previously briefed critical infrastructure providers on the threat posed by Russia, amid growing concern over possible sabotage and cyberattacks. Russia denies mounting hybrid attacks on Western nations. A British military air base in central England was broken into in June 2025 by the Palestine Action protest group, which has since been proscribed as a terrorist organisation.