Five men arrested on suspicion of terror offences at RAF Fairford are all British nationals from London in their 20s, counter-terrorism police have said.
The men were pictured on Sunday being apprehended, shirtless, near the RAF base in Gloucestershire, which is being used by the US air force in its operations against Iran.
Three of them were 24, one was 25 and one 23, and three resided in Westminster, another in Camden, and another in Willseden, police said. Officers said they were being held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and a custody extension had been secured until later on Monday.
The suspects were arrested in Whelford on Sunday morning following reports of three vehicles travelling towards the airbase at 12.45am. They were detained on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act.
Counter-terrorism policing said investigators were examining the scene overnight and had been carrying out a range of activity that had led to multiple new lines of enquiry.
Eighty-five households were evacuated from the village on Sunday, and a large police and emergency services presence has been there ever since. Police said they were using “significant numbers of resources, including military assets” at the location, adding: “We are working hard to minimise disruption to local communities, but ask for their patience, as our work continues at the scene.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the counter-terrorism policing senior national coordinator, said: “This is a hugely complex and large-scale operation, involving local and national policing, the MOD [Ministry of Defence], and local agencies, who are working together to progress the investigation and support for the community.
“I know this has been incredibly disruptive for local people, but I’d like to reassure them that our activity is in the interest of national security, but most importantly in the interest of their own safety.
“I am very aware of the levels of speculation about the motivation behind this incident, and the geopolitical questions that are being raised. However, I ask that at this time, Counter Terrorism Policing are given the space to work carefully and clearly.”
There is still a cordon in place at the location but police said they would be reviewing it later today.
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