A 22-year-old British national was arrested on Tuesday in Westminster, London, on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. Counter-terrorism police confirmed this is the seventh arrest connected to an incident near the RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire on 27 September. Despite the multiple detentions, no charges have been filed to date.
The arrest followed a major incident declaration that led to the evacuation of dozens of homes after authorities reported three “suspicious vehicles” near the airbase. Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, stated that the investigation remains active and that officers are pursuing several lines of enquiry.
This latest arrest brings the total number of detentions to seven. On the night of 27 September, five men aged between 23 and 25 were detained in the early hours after their vehicles were observed traveling toward the base. They were initially held on suspicion of explosives offences before being charged with preparing terrorist acts. Police later released them on bail, describing the move as a strategic investigative decision.
A sixth suspect, a 25-year-old dual Iranian-British national, was arrested in Westminster on 1 October and has also been released on bail. The newly arrested 22-year-old is the most recent person taken into custody as part of the ongoing probe.
RAF Fairford, located near the village of Whelford, has hosted US Air Force operations for decades. In recent months, the base was used for B-1 and B-52 bombers deployed to the Middle East following UK approval for defensive strikes against Iran. However, it was revealed last Sunday that the United States had withdrawn these bombers back to America.
US President Donald Trump attributed the withdrawal to “some threats” targeting the base, though he declined to provide specific details. When pressed by reporters outside the White House on Monday regarding whether a specific threat prompted the move, Trump affirmed, “Yeah I think we can say that. They didn’t fly out by accident.” He added that the relocation was intended to avoid tempting adversaries.
US Vice-President JD Vance previously characterized the move as being made “out of an abundance of caution.” US media reports had suggested the decision followed intelligence indicating Iran was plotting a drone attack, though the BBC has not independently verified these claims. Before President Trump’s comments, a spokesperson for Number 10 maintained that RAF Fairford remained safe, citing the effectiveness of UK security services.
Bombers leave because of threats, arrests pile up, and my morning coffee tastes like anxiety. Typical Tuesday news cycle.
Wait, if all seven are on bail, does that mean there is no solid evidence for immediate prosecution? That seems odd given the severity.
The Trump comments about ‘some threats’ are worrying. Are we underestimating the actual risk level here?
It is startling how quickly things escalated at a US base in the UK. How did three vehicles get that close undetected?
Seven arrests and still no charges? The process seems incredibly slow, yet I suppose thoroughness is better than rushing.