Counter-terrorism officers in London have arrested a 22-year-old British man, marking the seventh arrest linked to the security incident near the RAF Fairford airbase.
The suspect was taken into custody in Westminster on Tuesday on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. No one has been charged yet, but the arrest highlights the growing scale of the investigation into the events of late September.
The scare began in the early hours of September 27. Police declared a major incident and evacuated dozens of homes near the Gloucestershire base after spotting three suspicious vehicles. Five men, aged between 23 and 25, were stopped and detained near the airfield. Officers initially held them on explosives allegations before shifting the focus to terror-related offences. All five were later released on bail.
A few days later, on October 1, a sixth suspect was arrested in Westminster. Police identified him as a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national. He was also subsequently released on bail.
Senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Vicki Evans, emphasized that detectives are still working hard on the case. "It remains a live investigation," Evans said, adding that officers are actively following "multiple lines of enquiry."
The security operation coincides with a sudden shift in US military operations at the base. RAF Fairford has served as a strategic hub for the US Air Force for decades. Recently, the US had stationed B-1 and B-52 heavy bombers there. These aircraft were being used for defensive missions in the Middle East, following British approval for strikes against Iranian targets.
However, the US quietly pulled the bombers back to America last weekend.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, US President Donald Trump confirmed the move was not a routine transfer. "They didn’t fly out by accident," Trump said. He pointed to "some threats" against the base, explaining that the military moved the bombers rather than "tempting the enemy."
US Vice-President JD Vance later clarified that the relocation was done "out of an abundance of caution." Reports in the US media suggested that American intelligence had uncovered an Iranian plot involving drones, though UK officials have not confirmed those reports.
A spokesperson for US European Command declined to discuss specific intelligence details but stated they are constantly evaluating security. They added that the US military remains at the "highest state of readiness" to protect its bases and personnel. Downing Street has insisted the Gloucestershire base is safe, praising British security and emergency services for their rapid response.