Four Held After Break-In at UK’s Largest Air Base
London (The Uttam Hindu) :Counter-terrorism police have arrested four individuals in connection with a security breach at RAF Brize Norton, where military aircraft were vandalized in an incident claimed by the activist group Palestine Action. The arrests, carried out by South East Counter Terrorism Police, follow the circulation of online footage showing individuals spraying red paint inside the engine of an Airbus Voyager tanker aircraft.
Arrests Made Under Terrorism Act
The arrests were made in Newbury, Berkshire, and include:
A 29-year-old woman of no fixed abode
A 36-year-old man from London
A 24-year-old man from London
All three have been detained on suspicion of “commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism,” under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Additionally, a 41-year-old woman of no fixed abode has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All four suspects remain in police custody as the investigation continues.
Security Breach at RAF Brize Norton
RAF Brize Norton, the UK’s largest military airbase located in Oxfordshire, is a key hub for refueling and transport operations for the Royal Air Force. The security breach, which occurred in darkness and was shared via social media on June 21, showed individuals entering the base undetected. One person was seen riding a scooter and spraying red paint into a jet engine, while another painted slogans on the aircraft. The footage was posted by Palestine Action, a group known for targeting UK-based companies and institutions it accuses of supporting Israeli military operations.
Government Considers Banning Palestine Action
Following the incident, the UK government has announced it is preparing to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, which would make it a criminal offence to be a member, support, or promote the group. The move would place the organization on the same legal footing as other banned extremist groups under UK anti-terror laws.
Police: Investigation Ongoing
South East Counter Terrorism Police have not released further details about the suspects or their specific roles in the break-in. A spokesperson said the arrests were the result of a “serious and ongoing investigation” into the potential threat to national security and military infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence has not confirmed the extent of damage to the aircraft or how the breach occurred. However, questions are now being raised about security protocols at sensitive military installations. The arrests mark a sharp escalation in law enforcement’s response to protest groups accused of engaging in direct action tactics on critical national infrastructure.