The Metropolitan Police of London arrested five men accused of conspiring to commit a terrorist act near the RAF Fairford airbase, a strategic facility of the Royal Air Force used regularly by the United States Armed Forces.
The operation began at 0:45, after authorities received an alert about the movement of three suspicious trucks in Whelford, a locality adjacent to the military site. The vehicles were intercepted while heading towards the facility used by American bombers.
Following the arrests, specialized teams from the British Army deployed a bomb disposal robot to inspect the cargo of the three vehicles. Authorities established a security perimeter of 400 meters and evacuated approximately 85 families, who were moved to a local recreational center.
The five men remain in police custody under anti-terrorism legislation. According to information released after a police press conference, in addition to being investigated for offenses under the UK's Explosives Act, they were charged with "conspiring to commit a terrorist act".
Authorities have not yet identified any state or non-state actor as responsible for the alleged plot. Investigators are working to determine whether the detainees had links to terrorist organizations, foreign groups, or any state.
