New details have emerged from the counter-terrorism investigation at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, with police confirming that one of the five men arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning had dialled 999 himself — almost an hour before the farmer whose call is widely credited with foiling the alleged plot.
What Happened
At 00:45 BST on Sunday 28 September, one of the five suspects made a 999 call to police. It was not until approximately 01:40 BST that a female farmer — who arrived home to find the road blocked by a large group of hooded and masked men — made her own call to the emergency services. That second call has drawn widespread attention as the moment that prompted the armed police response.
The five men were arrested by Gloucestershire Constabulary in the village of Whelford, which lies directly east of the base, after three vans were seen travelling in the direction of RAF Fairford. They were initially held on suspicion of explosives offences, then further arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act under the Terrorism Act.
A 400-metre cordon was put in place and approximately 85 households were evacuated while Army bomb disposal teams examined the vehicles. No improvised explosive devices were found, though police confirmed a quantity of petrol was recovered from the vans.
The Suspects
All five men are British nationals aged between 23 and 25. Four of them are from Westminster and one from Camden, in London. Searches of their home addresses are now complete, according to Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing.
The men were released on police bail on Monday after extensive interviews, though they remain under investigation and are subject to strict conditions on their movement and contact with others. Taylor described the bail decision as “grounded in experience and strategy” and confirmed officers are pursuing “multiple lines of enquiry”.
International Dimension
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a Fox News interview that the incident “clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor”, adding that Iran had “openly threatened to attack American interests globally”. He declined to provide further evidence. Iran’s embassy in London categorically rejected what it called “unfounded and malicious speculations” linking it to the incident.
US President Donald Trump also said he was “disappointed” the five men had been released on bail, having previously claimed they had been “under view for a long time”. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who chaired a Cobra meeting on Monday, urged people “not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts”.
Counter Terrorism Policing has said investigators are keeping an open mind on the international dimension, including the possibility that those arrested may have been acting as proxies — “either knowingly or unknowingly” — on behalf of a foreign state.
Background: RAF Fairford’s Strategic Importance
RAF Fairford, situated on the Gloucestershire-Wiltshire border, has been one of the United States Air Force’s primary European operating bases for decades. In recent months, US bombers have taken off from the base for the Middle East following the UK government’s approval of American requests to use British soil for what it describes as defensive strikes against Iran. In July, Iran’s government warned that any base used for “aggression against Iranian territory” constituted a legitimate target for its forces.
What Happens Next
Police cordons around the Fairford area are expected to be completely lifted on Wednesday, three days after the major incident was declared. Residents of Whelford who were evacuated on Sunday have already been allowed to return to their properties, though some reported being advised by officers to remain indoors and avoid taking photographs.
The investigation is led by Counter Terrorism Policing, with Gloucestershire Constabulary continuing to provide local support. An enhanced police presence is expected to remain in the area for the coming days.
This is a developing story. The Cheltenham Times will continue to report as new information becomes available.
Sources: BBC News, The Guardian, Gloucestershire Live, Counter Terrorism Policing (official statements)
