A 22-year-old British national has been arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with an incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
Counter Terrorism Policing said the man was arrested in Westminster, London, on Tuesday as part of an investigation into events near the airbase on September 27. He is the seventh person arrested in connection with the incident, although no one has been charged.
Police declared a major incident after they were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the airbase. Dozens of homes were subsequently evacuated as officers investigated the situation. Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the investigation remained active, with officers pursuing several lines of inquiry.
Five men aged between 23 and 25 were arrested near RAF Fairford on September 27. They were initially detained on suspicion of explosives offences before also being investigated for allegedly preparing a terrorist act. The five men were later released on police bail as part of what authorities described as an investigative decision based on their experience and strategy. A sixth suspect, a 25-year-old dual Iranian-British national, was arrested in Westminster on October 1 and was also subsequently released on bail.
US Bombers Withdrawn From RAF Fairford
The latest arrest comes amid heightened security concerns surrounding RAF Fairford, which has been used by the US Air Force for decades.
In recent months, American B-1 and B-52 bombers had operated from the base during military activity involving the Middle East. The UK had previously approved a US request to use RAF Fairford for defensive strikes against Iran. The United States has since withdrawn the bombers from the base and returned them to America.
US President Donald Trump said the aircraft were moved because of threats to the base, although he did not provide specific details. Asked on Monday whether a specific threat had prompted the withdrawal, Trump said there had been threats and that the US did not want to leave the aircraft exposed.
US Vice-President JD Vance similarly said the bombers were moved “out of an abundance of caution.” US media reports have suggested that intelligence indicated Iran could be planning a drone attack against the base. The reports have not been independently verified.
A spokesperson for US European Command declined to discuss intelligence matters but said the US would continue assessing the threat environment at its bases. The command said American forces remained at the highest state of readiness and would take appropriate measures to protect personnel, aircraft and military facilities.
The British government has maintained that RAF Fairford remains safe. Downing Street previously praised the work of British police, defence and security agencies in responding to the incident. The investigation into the September 27 incident remains ongoing, with authorities yet to announce charges against any of the seven people arrested.
