Two men re arrested over RAF Fairford security incident

Counter terrorism officers have re arrested two men in connection with an investigation near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. BBC News, LBC and Metro reported that the men were detained on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. According to BBC News, police confirmed that the investigation relates to Iran. [1][3][5][6]

BBC News reported that the men being held are a 24 year old UK national and a 25 year old dual UK Iranian national. Police were originally alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the base in the early hours of 27 September, leading to a major incident declaration and the evacuation of dozens of homes. [1][3]

BBC News noted that seven men were initially arrested as part of the counter terrorism investigation before being released. As FTMQ News reported earlier, officers originally arrested five men in Whelford on 27 September under the Explosives Act and Terrorism Act, before arresting a seventh man in London. [1][3][9][10]

RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force station located in Gloucestershire, England. It serves as the primary European airfield for United States Air Force heavy bombers and supports routine strategic operations. [7][8]