Counter Terrorism

A British police van with yellow and blue reflective markings parked in a green field behind a wire fence, with flat farmland and a line of parked vehicles on the horizon under a pale sky.

The Men Held Near Fairford Are Five Londoners. They Are on the Ordinary Police Clock, Not the Terrorism One.

Counter Terrorism Policing said on Monday that the five men arrested near RAF Fairford are UK nationals living in London, aged 23 to 25. They are held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, not the Terrorism Act's 14-day regime, and a custody extension runs only until later on Monday.

By Thomas Gutierrez September 28, 2026

A chain-link fence in the foreground, out of focus, with a second post-and-wire fence running across flat grassland beyond it towards a line of low buildings and trees on the horizon under an overcast sky. A strip of tarmac runs along the bottom edge. No people, vehicles or aircraft are visible.

The Numbers

Five Men Are in Custody Near RAF Fairford. No Attack Took Place, and No Official Has Alleged Iran Directed Anything.

Gloucestershire police were called to three suspicious vehicles near Whelford at about 12.45am on Sunday. Five men were arrested, first on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and then on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. A major incident was declared, about 85 homes were evacuated, and an Army ordnance disposal team worked inside a cordon reported at 440 yards. Nothing detonated. Nobody has been charged.

By Thomas Gutierrez 16 hours ago

Tagged stories

The Men Held Near Fairford Are Five Londoners. They Are on the Ordinary Police Clock, Not the Terrorism One.

Five Men Are in Custody Near RAF Fairford. No Attack Took Place, and No Official Has Alleged Iran Directed Anything.