Seventh Arrest Made in RAF Fairford Terrorism Investigation

A 22-year-old British national has been arrested in Westminster, London, on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts as part of an investigation into suspicious activity near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

Counter Terrorism Policing said the arrest, made on Tuesday, October 6, is the seventh in connection with the incident, which occurred near the airbase on September 27. No one has been charged in connection with the investigation.

Investigation Remains Ongoing

The investigation began after police received a report of three suspicious vehicles apparently travelling towards RAF Fairford in the early hours of September 27.

Armed officers responded and five men were arrested in the nearby Whelford area. They were initially detained on suspicion of explosives offences and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.

The five men were subsequently released on police bail and remain under investigation. Police said extensive examinations of the vehicles found no improvised explosive devices, although petrol was recovered.

A sixth man, a dual British-Iranian national, was arrested in Westminster on October 1 on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. He was later released on police bail.

Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said the investigation remains active, with specialist teams pursuing multiple lines of inquiry and seeking to establish the motivation behind the events.

Police have previously said they are considering a range of possibilities, including potential foreign-state involvement, while stressing that the investigation remains open.

RAF Fairford and US Military Operations

RAF Fairford, near Whelford in Gloucestershire, has been used by the United States Air Force for decades and remains an important facility for US military operations in the UK.

The base has recently attracted increased attention because of US bomber deployments connected to military activity in the Middle East.

The United States subsequently moved its B-1 and B-52 bombers away from the facility. President Donald Trump said the decision followed unspecified threats, while Vice-President JD Vance described the move as being made "out of an abundance of caution."

US European Command has declined to discuss intelligence matters but said it would continue assessing the threat environment around its bases and take appropriate measures to protect personnel, aircraft and facilities.

Reports in US media have suggested that intelligence concerning a possible Iranian drone threat influenced the decision. Those reports have not been independently verified, and US authorities have not publicly confirmed the specific nature of any alleged threat.

Community Disruption

The initial police response resulted in a major operation around RAF Fairford, including a cordon and the temporary evacuation of about 85 households as specialist teams examined the suspicious vehicles.

Authorities later reduced the cordon and worked to restore normality for residents in the surrounding community.

Police have urged the public to avoid speculation while investigators continue gathering evidence.

No Charges Filed

Despite seven arrests, no individual has been charged in connection with the RAF Fairford investigation.

Counter Terrorism Policing said the latest arrest and searches in Westminster form part of its continuing effort to establish the circumstances surrounding the September 27 incident.

The investigation remains active, and police have appealed for anyone with relevant information to contact authorities.

For now, the arrests represent investigative steps rather than findings of criminal liability, and those detained remain innocent unless proven guilty in court.