US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that some men arrested near RAF Fairford had been under surveillance before British police detained them in a terrorism investigation.
“We had them under surveillance for a long time,” Trump said. He claimed the suspects intended to cause major damage, but the supplied account does not identify who conducted the surveillance.
British Counter Terrorism Policing separately confirmed that police arrested five men in Whelford. Police initially held them over suspected offences under the Explosives Act and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
Officers responded after receiving a report about three suspicious vehicles apparently travelling towards RAF Fairford. Army explosives specialists were examining the vehicles inside a 400-metre cordon.
Around 85 households were advised to evacuate while the examinations continued. Police said the five men remained in custody.
Read: UK RAF Fairford Arrests: Several Held Under Explosives Act
Authorities have not publicly identified an intended target or motive. Donald Trump said some men arrested near RAF Fairford had been under surveillance for a long time and intended to cause major damage.
