What we know about RAF Fairford incident and counter-terror probe

Local police said they received a call about “three suspicious vehicles” travelling towards RAF Fairford at 00:45 BST on Sunday.

Five men were later arrested by armed officers near Whelford, a Cotswold village around two miles (3.2km) south-east of the base.

A bomb disposal team was also deployed to the village to examine a number of vehicles, around which a 400m (1,312ft) cordon has been placed.

Aerial pictures showed a remote-controlled robot approaching two stationary white vans in a wooded area, though its use has not been confirmed by police.

There has been large emergency service presence in the area since the early hours of Sunday, which Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said would remain “for some time”.

Ocone told a news conference on Sunday afternoon that “work to establish the full nature of the incident is ongoing”.

Counter Terrorism Policing are now leading the investigation. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said officers were “working closely” with partners to “understand the circumstances of the incident”.