Terrorism arrests made in ‘major incident’ near RAF Fairford

{"text":[[{"start":8.55,"text":"UK counterterror police said on Sunday they had arrested five men on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act after three “suspicious” vehicles were seen being driven towards a US air base."}],[{"start":19.5,"text":"Counter Terrorism Policing said officers had received a call at about 12.45am on Sunday about the vehicles, heading towards RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which is being used by the US Air Force for strikes on Iran."}],[{"start":34.45,"text":"“Armed officers responded and five men were arrested in the Whelford area on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act,” the CTP said. “They were further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act.”"}],[{"start":49.900000000000006,"text":"Aerial footage broadcast by the BBC showed explosive disposal robots apparently examining vans parked on a road near the air base."}],[{"start":58.35000000000001,"text":"There was no immediate indication of any motive for the incident. There have been multiple arrests in recent years of people participating in “hybrid warfare” attacks on UK targets sponsored by hostile states, including Russia and Iran."}],[{"start":71.4,"text":"The security services and ministers have issued warnings in recent months about the heightened risk of security incidents in the UK sponsored by foreign states."}],[{"start":80.95,"text":"In July, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that “any base used for aggression against Iranian territory is a legitimate target for us” and explicitly named RAF Fairford as part of its threat. "}],[{"start":95.05,"text":"UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham posted on social media that Sunday’s events were “deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country”."}],[{"start":105.5,"text":"He added: “I want people to know that we will always take every step necessary to protect our communities and keep our country safe.”"}],[{"start":114.5,"text":"US President Donald Trump suggested US services had been aware of a threat in the UK and had worked with British services to prevent an attack. "}],[{"start":123.2,"text":"He told reporters: “Working with Britain, it was an amazing job. We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort . . . We had them under view for a long time and we got them.”"}],[{"start":134.75,"text":"The incident overshadowed the start of Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool on Sunday. Burnham was whisked away after a live broadcast interview on the BBC to meet with officials about the matter, interrupting his scheduled plans for the morning. "}],[{"start":null,"text":"

"}],[{"start":147.9,"text":"It was also discussed by Labour MPs on the margins of the conference, with one former minister expressing concern that it could herald a new era of threats against UK military bases. "}],[{"start":159.65,"text":"The matter could further derail the party conference and the Burnham administration’s desire to use it as a platform to project a message of hope and optimism, if the prime minister decides to call a Cobra emergency meeting in the coming days."}],[{"start":173.05,"text":"The US Air Force has used the facility as a base for B-1 and B-52 bombers to conduct what the US defines as defensive strikes on Iran after the previous prime minister Sir Keir Starmer authorised the arrangement."}],[{"start":187.05,"text":"Sunday’s incident led to the evacuation of about 85 houses in the area of Whelford, a village near the base."}],[{"start":null,"text":""}],[{"start":193.9,"text":"Gloucestershire Police said they had declared a “major incident” — a decision that will allow the relatively small force to ask for help from neighbouring police forces."}],[{"start":203.4,"text":"The force said: “A 400-metre cordon has been put in place around the vehicles while the army’s explosive ordnance disposal unit examines them. As a precaution, around 85 households have been advised to evacuate while these examinations take place.”"}],[{"start":218.05,"text":"The US Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing, which handles the force’s operations from UK air bases, declined to comment on reports that security at other bases used by the US in the UK had been stepped up."}],[{"start":231.65,"text":"But it said it appreciated the “swift response and continued support” of UK police."}],[{"start":237.65,"text":"It added: “We remain in close co-ordination with our UK partners to help ensure the safety and security of both our military and local communities.”"}],[{"start":247.65,"text":"Downing Street said: “We are grateful to the emergency services, who have acted quickly to detain several suspects and put measures in place to keep the community safe.”"}],[{"start":257.75,"text":"Additional reporting by Jim Pickard and David Sheppard in London and Amy Mackinnon in Washington"}],[{"start":271.79999999999995,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1790562478_8697.mp3"}