Broadcast overview

An AI-generated overview based on this broadcast's transcript.

Five men were arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after police received a call at around 12.45am about three suspicious vehicles travelling towards the base. Armed officers arrested the men in the Whelford area on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, and they were further arrested under section 5 of the Terrorism Act. Counter-terrorism police led the investigation, a 400-metre cordon was put around the vehicles, and an Army explosive ordnance disposal unit used a robot to examine them. About 85 households were advised to evacuate, with a nearby leisure centre opened for those unable to stay with family or friends. The base has been used by the US Air Force for bombing missions over Iran and was reportedly at threat level Delta. President Donald Trump commented on the arrests, while Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and the Prime Minister thanked emergency services and urged the public not to speculate. Sky News later understood counter-terrorism police were investigating whether Iran was linked to the suspected bomb plot, though the origin was not yet known.

In Northern Ireland, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher appealed for calm after recent events, saying police were continuing an operation and gathering evidence from all parties. He said he hoped for a peaceful conclusion in which no one was harmed and everyone could walk away with dignity, and that there needed to be a longer-term conversation involving politicians. The broadcast had reported tensions over an Orange Order parade in Portadown that was blocked by protesters, with a DUP leader calling for the first minister to uphold the law and saying there should be unanimous condemnation of her and her colleagues.

The programme also reported that an NHS trust had apologised to the family of Noah Woods after his medical records were unnecessarily accessed by staff.

On air

People and organisations this broadcast put on air during its news coverage. The channel's own presenters and reporters are not listed. Names as transcribed.

  • 3:06

    Gloucestershire Police

    “Gloucestershire Police's focus at this time is on the local community”
  • 3:42

    Counter-terrorism policing

    “Today police received a call relating to three suspicious vehicles, which appeared to be traveling towards the airbase”
  • 4:14

    Donald Trump, US President

    “The arrest in the UK was fantastic”
  • 4:47

    Wes Streeting, defense secretary

    “There's a live police investigation”
  • 10:01

    Jon Boutcher, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland

    “I'm so grateful for all those people who brought sanity to the situation”
  • 10:01

    Police Service of Northern Ireland

    “I'm so grateful for all those people who brought sanity to the situation”
  • 12:57

    Andy Burnham, Prime Minister

    “I know today's incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents”
  1. 1:15
  2. 4:35

    Contested quote Major incident near RAF Fairford after explosives arrests

    Working with the British worked out great It may have been Scotland Yard. I don't know that we worked with a lot of them We had them under view for a long time and we got him. Thank you We've also heard from the defense secretary Wes Streeting who's speaking at a fringe event at the Labour Conference?

    Sky News, Sky News Today, 27 September 2026, 4:35-4:38

  3. 9:34

Source: Sky News, "Sky News Today", Sunday 27 September 2026. Transcript excerpts and stills are shown only to support the analysis annotated alongside them. Search-result excerpts are distinct from the editorial annotations — see our copyright basis. The full broadcast is not reproduced.