The investigation into a suspected terror incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire has taken an unexpected turn after reports emerged that one of the five men arrested in connection with the case had called police himself before the arrests.
The five men were arrested in the early hours of Sunday, September 27, near Whelford, close to RAF Fairford. The British nationals, all in their 20s and from London, were detained after police received reports about three suspicious vans travelling towards the area of the military base.
The men were initially arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. They were subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act. British counter-terrorism authorities launched an investigation and deployed specialist officers and military resources to examine the vehicles and surrounding area.
The latest development concerns a telephone call reportedly made by one of the suspects. According to reports, the man called the UK emergency number 999 before the group was arrested. The reason for the call has not been established publicly.
The Guardian reported that the suspect, who is understood to be in his 20s and from London, called police before a local farmer separately contacted authorities after seeing the vehicles and a group of men near the area. The report said the suspect's call became another important line of inquiry for investigators.
The timing of the call has raised questions about what the suspect knew and why he contacted police. However, authorities have not concluded whether the call was intended to report a genuine concern, was connected to the wider incident or had another purpose. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the call as part of the broader investigation.
The incident began when three vans were reportedly seen close to RAF Fairford. The base is a UK owned military facility that is used by the United States Air Force. The presence of the vehicles and the circumstances surrounding the men prompted a major security response.
Armed police officers attended the scene and the area was placed under a security cordon. Around 85 homes in nearby Whelford were evacuated while bomb disposal specialists examined the vehicles. Residents were later allowed to return to their homes after the security operation progressed.
A significant development in the investigation came when police confirmed that no improvised explosive devices had been discovered in the three vans. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, said officers had recovered a quantity of petrol from the vehicles.
The discovery of petrol but no explosive device has become an important part of the investigation. Police are examining why the vehicles were in the area, what the men intended to do and whether the material found inside the vans was connected to any planned activity.
The five suspects were released on police bail following extensive interviews and inquiries. Counter Terrorism Policing has stressed that their release does not mean that the investigation has ended. The men remain under investigation and are subject to strict conditions concerning their movements and contact with others.
Assistant Commissioner Taylor said investigators were pursuing multiple lines of inquiry and that the police were keeping an open mind regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident. He also said protective security measures remained appropriate while the investigation continued.
Another aspect being examined is whether the incident had any connection to a foreign state or organisation. Reports have mentioned a possible Iranian link as one of the lines of inquiry. However, British authorities have not publicly concluded that Iran was responsible for the incident.
Iran has denied involvement in the case. The Iranian Embassy in London has rejected speculation linking the country to the incident. Therefore, any claim that the suspects were acting on behalf of Iran remains unproven while the investigation continues.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also commented on the case, saying that the incident appeared to involve a foreign actor, but he did not identify a specific country or provide details supporting that assessment. His comments are separate from the UK police investigation and do not represent a final determination by British authorities.
US President Donald Trump also expressed surprise over the decision to release the five suspects on bail. However, UK counter-terrorism officials defended the decision, saying it was an investigative decision based on operational considerations and public safety.
British counter-terrorism officials have emphasised that the suspects remain under investigation despite their release. Bail does not amount to an acquittal or a finding that no offence occurred. The investigation can continue while police gather evidence, examine forensic material and assess information obtained from interviews and searches.
The case has attracted international attention partly because RAF Fairford is an important military facility used by the US Air Force. The base has been used by American bombers during military operations in the Middle East, including operations connected to the conflict with Iran.
The location of the incident therefore heightened concerns about possible threats to military infrastructure. However, authorities have not confirmed that the five suspects had successfully carried out or were preparing an attack on the base.
Investigators are now examining several questions, including why the three vans were near the airbase, what the men were doing in the area, why one suspect contacted police, why petrol was present in the vehicles and whether the incident was connected to any wider organisation or foreign actor.
The absence of improvised explosive devices is also significant. Police have confirmed that no such devices were found, meaning that earlier descriptions of a possible bomb plot should not be treated as an established fact. The exact nature and purpose of the activity remain under investigation.
The incident also highlights the difference between an arrest on suspicion and a proven criminal offence. The five men have not been convicted of terrorism or explosives offences. They remain suspects while investigators determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support further action.
For residents near RAF Fairford, the immediate security disruption has largely eased, with the cordon reduced and evacuated residents allowed to return. Police and counter-terrorism investigators, however, continue to examine evidence connected with the case.
The newly reported police call by one of the suspects adds another element to an already complex investigation. Until authorities establish the reason for that call and determine what the group intended, the circumstances surrounding the RAF Fairford incident remain unresolved.
Further updates are expected as British counter-terrorism investigators continue examining the vehicles, recovered material, communications and other evidence. Authorities have not announced any final conclusion about the motive behind the incident or whether it was directed by a foreign state or organisation.
