Residents Near RAF Fairford Feel ‘Like Sitting Ducks’ After Counter-Terror Probe

Residents living adjacent to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire have expressed frustration over a perceived lack of communication from authorities following a major counter-terrorism investigation. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, resulted in the evacuation of approximately 85 homes and the arrest of five men.

Five UK nationals in their early twenties, all from London, were detained on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism after three white vans were reported near the US-operated military airbase. Gloucestershire Constabulary established a 400-meter cordon and deployed a bomb disposal team to inspect the abandoned vehicles. An army bomb disposal robot was used to examine the vans, which were found in a wooded area.

Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed that while a quantity of petrol was recovered during searches, no explosive devices were found. The five suspects have since been released on bail, a move the police described as an investigative decision grounded in strategy and experience.

Despite the clearance of the immediate threat, local residents described feeling vulnerable and poorly informed. One resident from Whelford, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that locals felt “like sitting ducks” because they were unaware of the unfolding operation until it was already underway. She noted an “uneasiness in the air” in the days prior, citing increased concrete barricades around the base, but complained that no information was shared with the community beforehand.

“Regardless of if this was a dummy run, staged, a real threat or something entirely different – the lack of correspondence and care towards locals from a huge military base right next door is what feels most concerning to me,” she said. However, she praised the conduct of officers on the ground, describing them as “calm, thorough and precise.”

Tensions were further heightened for one couple who alleged that armed police pointed firearms at them during the evacuation. The husband claimed that when he stepped outside to identify himself as a resident, two officers exited their vehicle and aimed weapons at him. The pair said they and their traumatized child were briefly trapped inside their home before escaping through a neighbor’s property. Upon returning later, they discovered the doors of the suspicious vans had been blown off and their contents scattered.

Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth acknowledged the difficulties faced by the community, explaining that the force was limited in the amount of detail it could release while an active investigation is ongoing. She assured residents that multiple information points would be established in the coming days to provide reassurance and address concerns.

Concerns also extended to nearby areas in Wiltshire. Gerry, a resident of Marston Meysey who represents a parish working group on airbase issues, stated that locals feel they receive less security visibility and information compared to those in Gloucestershire. Wiltshire Police neighborhood Inspector Lawrence Copeland acknowledged the anxiety within the tight-knit community and confirmed that patrol presence would be enhanced in the near future.

The police cordon near the airbase was lifted on Wednesday afternoon. Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.