The US Embassy in Britain has urged American citizens to “exercise caution” after five men were arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
The embassy said it was aware of the arrests and advised US nationals to remain mindful of their personal security, follow instructions from local authorities and take steps to protect themselves.
RAF Fairford is a key US Air Force base in Europe. It has been used by American aircraft involved in strikes against Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The base has been placed on Delta alert, the highest threat level used by the US Department of Defense. Security has also been tightened at RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell in East Anglia, with RAF Lakenheath reportedly on Charlie alert.
Five men arrested near RAF Fairford
The arrests followed a report from a local resident who saw three large white vans blocking a road close to the base in the early hours of Sunday.
The woman, who has not been named, said a group of men wearing balaclavas fled towards nearby trees and fields when she approached. She called 999, and armed counter-terrorism officers arrested five suspects within about 25 minutes.
Police later evacuated around 85 homes in the surrounding Cotswolds countryside while officers and the Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team searched the area.
A bomb disposal robot was seen examining the vans, with two of their rear doors open and what appeared to be large black barrels outside. The vehicles were reportedly found to contain viable incendiary devices.
The suspects were filmed shirtless after their arrest, amid reports that investigators were examining whether they had been planning an attack on US aircraft stationed at Fairford. Those claims have not been established in court, and police have not disclosed further details about the alleged plot.
The resident who raised the alarm said she had seen more men than those arrested. “They probably thought we were the police and panicked,” she said.
“A plucky amateur shouldn’t be spotting unusual activity at 1am when the air base is on high alert. I think it’s absolutely astonishing.”
She added: “It is pretty incredible, realising you had a face-to-face brush with potential terrorists and may have foiled a terrorist plot. It was clear they had only just arrived. Thank God we spotted them.”
A local resident later described seeing the five men lined up outside a house after being detained. The suspects had their shirts, shoes and socks removed while officers searched them before taking them away.
US embassy issues security warning
In its statement, the US Embassy said: “The US Embassy is aware of arrests on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act near the Royal Air Force base in Fairford, UK.”
It added: “US citizens are encouraged to exercise caution and be mindful of personal security. US citizens are advised to follow instructions of local authorities for their personal safety and security.”
US President Donald Trump praised co-operation between the two countries, saying the suspects had been under investigation and were “looking to do big damage to our fort”.
He said: “It was fantastic. Working with Britain, it was an amazing job. We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great.”
Asked whether the US knew about the attack, Mr Trump said: “We know all about them. You’ll be hearing about it very soon. We caught them.”
Maggie Blyth, the temporary chief constable of Gloucestershire Police, said the incident was believed to have been contained and urged people not to speculate while the investigation continued.
“These arrests will no doubt have caused some shock and anxiety,” she said. “We want those living locally to RAF Fairford and across Gloucestershire to be sure and to know that, as agencies, we are working closely together to support them.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the Government would “always take every step necessary” to protect the country. He thanked Gloucestershire Police, counter-terrorism officers, the Armed Forces and residents who had been evacuated while precautionary checks were carried out.
RAF Fairford has previously been the subject of warnings from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, which urged Britain not to allow US bombers to operate from the base.
The base has also seen increased operational activity, with the Royal International Air Tattoo cancelled after organisers cited the “escalating geopolitical situation in the Middle East” and the need for RAF Fairford to maintain “unrestricted, 24/7 operational readiness”.
