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Five men have been arrested in connection with a suspected bomb plot near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, after explosives were reportedly discovered in three vans close to the military airbase.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has indicated that UK security and intelligence services had some prior awareness of the suspects, although he declined to reveal details because the investigation remains ongoing.
The arrests took place in the early hours of Sunday, 27 September, after a local woman reported suspicious activity near the village of Whelford, close to RAF Fairford. Her call to police triggered a major security operation involving armed officers, bomb disposal specialists and other emergency services.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Streeting praised the woman for contacting police but suggested that her understanding of the situation represented only part of the wider picture available to security agencies.
His comments followed remarks from US President Donald Trump, who said the suspects had allegedly been under observation for some time and praised British police and security services for their response.
Streeting did not confirm the full details of Trump's comments. He said operational security matters could not be discussed publicly while investigators continued their work.
The Defence Secretary said that providing detailed information about intelligence operations could potentially give useful insight to people who may seek to harm the UK.
Police were alerted at around 12.45am on Sunday following reports of three suspicious white vans travelling towards the RAF base.
A local woman returning home noticed the vehicles blocking a road near her property. She also reported seeing several men wearing hoods and masks who moved away after becoming aware of her presence.
Concerned by what she had seen, she first contacted Ministry of Defence Police before calling 999.
Armed officers subsequently attended the area and five men were arrested. The suspects were initially detained in connection with explosives-related offences and were later arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
Their identities have not been publicly released, and investigators have not disclosed the precise nature of the materials recovered from the vehicles.
The incident resulted in a large-scale emergency response in Whelford. Around 85 households were evacuated while specialist teams assessed the vehicles and secured the surrounding area.
A 400-metre cordon was established around the vans, with Army bomb disposal specialists using a remotely operated robot to examine them.
Residents were taken to a leisure centre in nearby Cirencester as a precaution while emergency teams worked at the scene.
The operation continued for several hours as specialists assessed whether the vehicles or their contents posed an immediate danger to the public.
The woman who contacted police later questioned why suspicious activity had apparently been noticed by a member of the public rather than during routine security monitoring around the airbase.
She said she believed the presence of the three vans was unusual and became increasingly concerned after seeing men wearing masks and hoods.
Her account has prompted questions about security arrangements around RAF Fairford. However, the precise intelligence available to police and security agencies before the arrests remains undisclosed.
Streeting's comments suggest that investigators may have had information about the suspects before the incident, but he has not confirmed what was known, when it was known or how it related to the events in Whelford.
RAF Fairford is a major military airfield in Gloucestershire and has a long-standing relationship with the United States Air Force. The base is capable of supporting large military aircraft and has played an important role in US and allied aviation operations.
Its location near civilian communities means that any significant security incident can quickly affect local residents and require a coordinated response from police, military specialists and emergency services.
The latest arrests have therefore drawn attention not only to the suspected bomb plot but also to the wider security arrangements surrounding the airbase.
Counter-terrorism investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the three vans and the materials reportedly found inside them.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the suspects were acting alone or whether investigators believe they had links to a wider organisation. No final conclusion has been announced regarding motive.
Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that questions surrounding any prior intelligence, the movements of the suspects and the intended purpose of the vehicles are likely to form an important part of the continuing investigation.
Police have urged the public to avoid speculation while evidence is assessed. Further information is expected as investigators establish the full circumstances surrounding the suspected bomb plot near RAF Fairford.
