A seventh man has been arrested as counter-terror police continue investigating a suspected terror plot involving RAF Fairford.
The 22-year-old British national was detained in Westminster, London, today (Tuesday) on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.
Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed searches have also been carried out at a property in the same area.
The development comes a day after US President Donald Trump acknowledged that threats were behind the decision to move American bombers away from RAF Fairford.
Questioned about the withdrawal outside the White House on Monday (5 October), Trump said: “Yeah, I think we can say that. They didn’t fly out by accident.”
He added: “No, but there were some threats and rather than tempting the enemy, we’ll capture the enemy and beat the enemy.
“But why should we keep them there? So we moved them around a little bit, not very far.”
Trump also claimed the US knows who was responsible for making the threats.
The Pentagon had confirmed on Sunday that bombers stationed at RAF Fairford had been redeployed to their home bases in the United States.
Reports in America suggested more detailed threat information had emerged over the weekend, leading to the aircraft being moved.
US Vice President JD Vance separately said the bombers had been redeployed “out of an abundance of caution, trying to protect our guys”.
The latest arrest brings the total number of men detained during the RAF Fairford investigation to seven.
Five men in their 20s were initially arrested on Sunday 27 September after police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the Gloucestershire airbase.
They were detained on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act before being further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.
Another man was arrested on Thursday 1 October as the counter-terror investigation widened.
Those six suspects have since been released on police bail.
Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Vicki Evans, said: “This remains a live investigation and our specialist teams continue to pursue multiple lines of enquiry into the circumstances surrounding events near RAF Fairford.
“Once again, I’d like to thank the public for their continued support and patience whilst we work through this highly complex investigation.
“We’re acutely aware of the public interest in this investigation, and we are working around the clock, and at pace, to identify the motivation behind events in Gloucestershire. We remain committed to investigating all possible angles.”
The original incident sparked a major emergency operation around RAF Fairford, close to the Wiltshire border.
Army bomb disposal specialists examined three vans while armed officers secured the surrounding area and around 85 households were evacuated.
Specialist ambulance teams and fire crews were also deployed, while a 400-metre cordon was imposed around the vehicles.
Police later revealed that a quantity of petrol had been found during searches of the vans, but no explosive devices were discovered.
RAF Fairford is an important operating location for the US Air Force and has been used by American bombers involved in strikes against Iran.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has previously said there are “strong indications” Iran played a part in the incident. Iran has denied involvement.
Counter Terrorism Policing says detectives are continuing to investigate multiple lines of enquiry as they work to establish the motivation behind the activity around RAF Fairford.
Anyone with information which could assist the investigation can contact the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
