Key Details From RAF Fairford Incident Press Conference

An operation near RAF Fairford involving the arrest of five men and the evacuation of over 80 homes has been described as “contained” by Gloucestershire Police.

Shortly after midnight, police received reports of three suspicious vehicles heading towards the airbase, a site recently used by the United States Air Force in the context of the US-Iran conflict. Armed officers apprehended five men in the Whelford area on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.

As a precaution, a 400-metre cordon was established and around 85 households were evacuated. Some displaced residents found shelter at Cirencester Leisure Centre.

A press conference held at 6pm featured senior representatives from Gloucestershire Police, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Cotswold District Council, and the RAF. Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth confirmed the incident is considered contained and assured the community that agencies are working closely together.

Key points from the conference included:

The Army’s ordnance disposal unit is actively examining the vehicles within the cordon, which remains in place.
The investigation is now led by Counter Terrorism Police, with Gloucestershire Police having made the initial arrests swiftly.
Authorities are liaising with evacuated residents, arranging accommodation options including overnight stays and stays with family or friends.
Temporary Chief Constable Blyth emphasised that all calls and intelligence are taken seriously, addressing queries about earlier reports of an unanswered call to the airbase police.
The response to the incident was described as a normal multi-agency procedure, coordinated through the Local Resilience Forum.
Police presence will continue in the area over the coming days to support and reassure local communities.
Several questions remain unanswered, including details surrounding the arrests, the contents and significance of black barrels observed near the scene, and the timing for residents’ return home.
At present, the incident has not been officially declared a terrorist incident, with such designation reserved for Counter Terrorism Police to confirm.

While the investigation progresses, local authorities remain focused on community safety and transparent communication, committing to providing updates as appropriate.