# Five Arrested Near RAF Fairford on Terror Charges After Homes Evacuated in Gloucestershire

*Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 8:13 PM UTC — Hamer Intelligence Services Desk*

**Published**: 2026-09-27T20:13:34.069Z (2h ago)
**Category**: intelligence | **Region**: Global
**Importance**: 7/10
**Sources**: OSINT
**Permalink**: https://hamerintel.com/data/articles/18998.md
**Source**: https://hamerintel.com/summaries

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**Deck**: British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford, a Gloucestershire air base used by US forces, on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing a terrorist act, forcing the evacuation of more than 80 homes while counter-terrorism officers investigate.

A suspected terror plot near a US-used air base in western England has led to multiple arrests and overnight evacuations, turning a small Gloucestershire community into the focus of a major security operation.

Gloucestershire Police said they detained five men on Sunday on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing a terrorist act near RAF Fairford. The base is used by US Air Force units, giving it significance beyond its rural setting.

BBC Verify geolocated an image showing the five men under arrest in Whelford, a village close to the airfield. The men appeared to be detained about 350 meters from a runway access point, according to that analysis.

Counter-terrorism police have taken over the investigation. Authorities said they received a call that led them to the suspects but have not yet released details about any explosives recovered or a specific target.

More than 80 nearby homes were evacuated, and residents were told they would not be able to return on Sunday night as specialist teams continued searches. Police have not reported any injuries or damage.

RAF Fairford serves as a base in the UK for US aircraft during deployments and exercises, which makes any security incident nearby a concern for both British and American officials.

The next indicators of how serious this case is will come from what police say about the evidence they’ve collected, the charges prosecutors decide to bring, and whether security measures around RAF Fairford and similar facilities are visibly tightened in response.