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5 arrested near US-operated air base in UK terror plot
British Police say 5 men were arrested near a US-operated air base on suspicion of a terror attack. President Trump told reporters: "we got them."
LONDON - U.K. police said Sunday that five men arrested overnight near a U.S.-used air base are being held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act involving three trucks.
Dig deeper:
London’s Metropolitan Police, which takes the lead on potential terrorism activities, said local police received a call at 12:45 a.m. related to the three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be traveling toward RAF Fairford, a U.K.-owned base that is operated by the U.S. under an agreement dating back to the Cold War.
Fairford has been used by American bombers for strictly limited strikes against Iran under an agreement with former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who voiced opposition to the war after it was launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28.
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The five men were initially arrested on suspicion of committing offenses under the Explosives Act in the Whelford area, which backs onto RAF Fairford, which hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron.
Aerial footage from Sky News appeared to show a bomb disposal robot roaming between three white trucks. The rear doors of two of the vans were open and large black items could be seen scattered around. The robot appeared to be working toward getting access to the third truck.
Police gave no details as to the nationality of those arrested. Suspects arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 can be detained for up to 14 days without charge, compared to the 24-hour limit for standard arrests, without an extension application.
What they're saying:
"We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody," said Vicki Evans, the Met’s counterterrorism policing senior national coordinator. "As you would expect, we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident."
She said a 400-meter cordon has been put in place around the three vehicles that raised suspicion while the army conducts examinations. As a precaution, around 85 households have been evacuated whilst these examinations take place. Some have been taken to a nearby recreation center.
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U.S. President Donald Trump heaped praise on those involved with the arrests.
"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," he told reporters in Chicago. "We had them under view for a long time and we got them."
Big picture view:
The arrests come at a time of heightened tensions around the threat from hostile states to the U.K., with Russia and Iran among those that have used proxies to commit crimes on their behalf on British soil. In March, officials said the number of national security cases involving activity by hostile states including Iran increased 50% in the six months to December 2025.
Local perspective:
The local Gloucestershire police force said the situation appeared to be "contained" and urged local residents to follow the advice as the investigation continues.
The Source: The Associated Press contributed to this report. The information comes from statements by the U.K. Metropolitan Police and Gloucestershire police, as well as reporting and aerial footage from Sky News. Details about RAF Fairford and its relationship with the U.S. military were reported by The Associated Press, while additional comments came from President Donald Trump. This story was reported from Los Angeles.