British police said on Sunday they had arrested five men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and the army was examining a number of vehicles after security was stepped up at a British air base used by US air forces in southwest England.
Counter-terrorism detectives leading the investigation said police had received a call about three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be travelling towards RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday.
Armed officers arrested five men, who are being held on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.
US President Donald Trump alleged to reporters that the suspects had been “looking to do big damage”.
“We had them under view for a long time, and we got them,” he said, saying that the suspects had been under investigation by both British and US authorities.
The British government gave authorisation to the US to use RAF Fairford to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
A Reuters eyewitness said armed police were blocking access to the main gate of the base. Around 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, were stationed in the village of Fairford near the base.
UK: Several arrested as bomb disposal team examines vehicles
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“A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident. It follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act,” Gloucestershire police said in a statement, referring to a village near the air base.
“The Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles.”
Police said they believed the incident was now contained.
The British government said Prime Minister Andy Burnham is being updated about the incident, adding “it would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing”.
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A spokesperson for the US Air Force said they would not discuss specific force protection measures.
“The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families,” the spokesperson said.
“We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families.”
Britain said in July its armed forces were ready to protect the country from any attack after Iran‘s Revolutionary Guards issued a warning not to allow US bombers to fly from Fairford.
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British ministers have also briefed providers of critical infrastructure of the threat posed by Russia, with the government increasingly concerned about possible sabotage operations and cyberattacks. Russia denies mounting hybrid attacks on Western nations.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters and AFP)
