Crime · updated 22m ago · 3 min read
UK Police Arrest Five Men Under Explosives Act Near RAF Fairford, Evacuate Whelford Homes
Five men arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences Major incident declared; residents evacuated from properties in Whelford near base
Whether motive intent is foregrounded.
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CNN
“The men have not been identified and no clue has been given about a possible motive.”Read the original ↗
ABC News leans on Trump’s “big damage” framing, while CNN foregrounds that no motive clue was provided.
Five detained near Fairford
British police arrested five men on suspicion of offences under the explosives act near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, after police received a call about three suspicious vehicles traveling toward the base at 12:45 a.m. Gloucestershire Police said a major incident was declared and that a number of properties in the Whelford area were being evacuated following the arrests. Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said police acted after the call about the vehicles, and he said officers arrested five men who remained in custody on suspicion of explosive offenses.
Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed the five detained men were also arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, while the Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team examined vehicles under a 400m cordon. The BBC said residents in Whelford were taken to a leisure centre while investigations continued, and police said they believed the incident was contained.
Officials urge no speculation
Prime Minister Andy Burnham posted that the incident near RAF Fairford would be deeply concerning for local residents and urged people not to speculate while authorities established the full facts.
Wes Streeting said on X that people could be reassured the incident near RAF Fairford was being dealt with, and he thanked emergency and specialist teams for acting swiftly regarding the incident in Gloucestershire.
Donald Trump told reporters that the arrest in the United Kingdom was fantastic and said the suspects were looking to do big damage to the U.S. Air Force base there.
Gloucestershire Police said they were working closely with partners and enacting the well-rehearsed plans they had in place, while the U.S. Air Force spokesperson said the 501st Combat Support Wing and other wings remained vigilant but would not discuss specific force protection measures.
CNN reported that Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed the men were further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, and it said the men were not identified and no clue had been given about a possible motive.C
What comes next
Authorities kept the investigation ongoing after police said a 400-metre cordon was in place around the base while bomb disposal units investigated the vans and Army explosive ordnance disposal experts examined vehicles.
The BBC said a large emergency services presence was seen in the area, including a Hazardous Area Response Team, while police said a cordon was currently in place and officers believed the incident was contained.
The U.S. Air Force said it would not discuss specific force protection measures, and it said the 501st Combat Support Wing and other UK-based wings would take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of U.S. service members, civilians, contractors, and their families.
ABC News said local residents were evacuated to a nearby recreation center, with a cordon put in place, and it quoted police saying they believed the incident was contained.A
The BBC said the base had been recently used to deploy USAF bombers since the country's conflict in Iran began in February, and it noted that in March then prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted permission for defensive U.S. action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases.