British citizen detained in link with RAF Fairford security incident

A 22-year-old British citizen was taken into custody in Westminster on Tuesday on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act connected to an incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on 27 September, counter-terrorism police said. The arrest follows five men detained on the day of the incident and a sixth suspect, a dual Iranian-British national, who were later released on bail.

Police declared a major incident after receiving reports of three suspicious vehicles near the airbase, prompting the evacuation of dozens of homes. Senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Vicki Evans said the case "remains a live investigation" and that authorities are "pursuing multiple lines of enquiry".

RAF Fairford, a long-standing United States Air Force base, had recently hosted B-1 and B-52 bombers for operations in the Middle East. The United States withdrew the aircraft in early October, citing unspecified threats. A spokesperson for U.S. European Command declined to discuss intelligence matters but said the U.S. continues to assess the threat environment and maintains a high state of readiness at its European bases.