British police opened an investigation near RAF Fairford, a Gloucestershire base also used by US forces, on the night of 27 September. Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) took the lead. The initial information calls for caution, not conclusions about an author, motive or target.

CTP said that at about 00:45 three vehicles were reported travelling towards the airbase. Armed officers arrested five men in the Whelford area on suspicion of offences under explosives legislation, and later of preparing a terrorist act under section 5 of the Terrorism Act. The men, British nationals from London, were aged 23 to 25. They have not been named.

On 28 September CTP described a “hugely complex” operation, with a cordon still in place and military assets at the scene. Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans asked for space to work and declined geopolitical speculation. Police later said no improvised explosive devices were found in the vehicles, though a quantity of petrol was recovered. The five men were released on bail and remain under investigation.

On 1 October CTP announced a sixth arrest: a 25-year-old dual UK/Iranian national detained in Westminster on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. Two properties were searched. Evans said investigators were examining all angles, including possible foreign-state involvement. Nobody in the case has been convicted.

Terms such as “attack” or “proven plot” are not used here. Criminal suspicion is not a verdict. The relevant updates remain CTP statements, any formal charges and court decisions.

The principal source is the CTP investigation page. This account does not publish operational details about devices, routes or the base’s security posture.

Image: David Howard, RAF Fairford airfield, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons / Geograph. Archive frame, not the 27 September 2026 incident.

Source consulted: Update on RAF Fairford investigation — Counter Terrorism Policing, 1 October 2026.