Late-night drive and a 999 call: chance encounter that led to terrorism arrests at RAF base
Local people say members of WhatsApp group noticed suspicious activity around vans in Whelford overnight
TL;DR
- A resident's suspicious sighting of three vans and several men near RAF Fairford led to a 999 call.
- Police arrived and arrested five men on suspicion of explosives and terror-related offences.
- Residents from 85 households in Whelford were evacuated as a major incident was investigated.
- The investigation involved the army, bomb squad, and counter-terrorism police.
- Increased security measures have been observed at RAF Fairford in recent weeks.
- RAF Fairford has been used as a base for US Air Force attacks on Iran.
- Explosives experts were seen examining the three vans.
- A local WhatsApp group also alerted residents to the suspicious activity.