Five men arrested near RAF Fairford

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after three vehicles were seen heading towards RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Counter Terrorism Policing said the vehicles were reported travelling towards the airbase at about 12.45am. The five men were arrested later that morning in the nearby village of Whelford.

Who has been arrested

All five are British nationals from London. They are a 24-year-old man from Camden, two men aged 24 and one aged 23 from Westminster, and a 25-year-old man from Willesden.

They were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and of preparing acts of terrorism, under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. They are being held in custody.

Homes evacuated

A major incident was declared and roads around the base were closed. Around 85 homes in Whelford, about two miles from the base, were evacuated as a precaution, and residents were taken to a nearby community venue.

A safety cordon was put in place around the vehicles, and army bomb disposal experts used a robot to examine them.

What police have said

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said: "This is a hugely complex and large-scale operation, involving local and national policing, the MOD" and other partners, and stressed its importance to national security.

Detectives are working to establish the full circumstances and what the men knew and intended. Investigators are reported to be considering a range of possible motives, including links to hostile states, and no conclusions have been announced.

An important base

RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force station used by the United States Air Force, particularly for large bomber aircraft. It has been used by American forces during the war involving Iran.

US President Donald Trump said the suspects had been looking to do "big damage". The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, urged people not to speculate while the investigation continues.