Counter-terrorism officers have re-arrested two men following a major security incident near a US airbase in Gloucestershire last month, with investigators saying they believe Iranian state involvement is highly likely.
According to counter-terrorism police, a 24-year-old British national and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national are now being held on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. The arrests were made under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023, legislation introduced last year to address modern espionage threats.
The investigation began in the early hours of 27 September when Gloucestershire Police received a report about three suspicious vehicles travelling towards RAF Fairford at 00:45 BST. The base, which hosts US Air Force operations, was placed under heightened security and dozens of nearby homes were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Seven arrests in ongoing investigation
A bomb disposal team was deployed to examine the vehicles in question. Officers discovered petrol in three vans located near the airbase perimeter, leading to the initial arrest of five men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and later on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. Police subsequently confirmed they had not found improvised explosive devices at the scene.
The two individuals re-arrested on Tuesday include the 24-year-old who was first detained near the base on 27 September and the 25-year-old who was arrested in Westminster on 1 October. A further five men, including a 22-year-old British national detained in Westminster on 6 October, remain on police bail as the investigation continues.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said evidence gathering was ongoing in what he described as a hugely complex case. “We consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement,” Taylor stated, according to the police announcement. “Our investigators are continuing to examine what that level of involvement was and the ambition behind it.”
Sensitive and complex inquiry
The senior officer emphasised that national security investigations often require extended timeframes due to their sensitive nature. Specialist teams have been working to examine multiple lines of inquiry since the incident first came to light.
The National Security Act 2023, under which the fresh arrests were made, replaced older espionage laws and introduced tougher penalties for individuals who assist hostile states. The legislation was designed to better address contemporary threats to UK security, including foreign interference and state-backed espionage operations.
RAF Fairford, located in the Cotswolds, regularly hosts US military aircraft and has been used as a forward operating base for American strategic bombers. The facility has periodically been the focus of security concerns due to its strategic importance to NATO operations.
What this means for Poles in the UK
While this investigation does not directly affect the Polish community in Britain, it highlights the active counter-terrorism and counter-espionage work carried out by UK police forces. Anyone living or working near sensitive military installations should be aware that suspicious activity may trigger major security responses, including temporary evacuations.
The National Security Act 2023 applies to all residents in the UK, regardless of nationality. Under the legislation, assisting a foreign intelligence service can carry serious criminal penalties. Poles who hold dual nationality or maintain ties to other countries should be aware that engaging with foreign intelligence agencies—even if approached under pressure—is a criminal offence in the UK.
If anyone witnesses unusual activity near military sites or critical infrastructure, Gloucestershire Police and counter-terrorism authorities encourage reporting concerns through the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 or via the gov.uk website. All reports are treated in confidence.