Seemingly minor details on a van outside a British military base may have helped expose a group of suspected terrorists after an alleged Iranian plot was stopped at the last moment.
One of three vans intercepted near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire yesterday drew suspicion because the phone number and business lettering displayed on its side appeared to be fabricated.
Five men were stopped in the vans, which were reportedly packed with explosives, around 350 yards from the airbase. RAF Fairford has been used by American forces to launch air strikes against the regime in Tehran.
The farmer who alerted police said the vehicles immediately seemed suspicious because the information painted on their sides did not appear genuine.
A major incident was declared, while images shared online showed one of the vans carrying the words ‘Fuel 2You’ in red lettering, along with a telephone number.
Social media users circulated the photographs alongside details of a legitimate company based in Beaconsfield called ‘Fuel2U’, whose branding is green and black.
Observers also noted that the number beneath the apparent fake business name — 0742 418 2599 — had been grouped in a 434 format, a style predominantly associated with Iran.
British mobile numbers are generally written in a 533 or 56 format, meaning the number would typically appear as 07424 182599 or 07424 182 599. The number was also found to be out of service.
One of the three vans near RAF Fairford carried the words ‘Fuel 2You’ in red lettering on its exterior
The van displayed a phone number grouped in a 434 format, which is predominantly used in Iran
A robot examines the three white vans following the alleged foiled terror plot at RAF Fairford
A van operated by the genuine company ‘Fuel 2U’, which has no connection to the RAF Fairford incident
When the Daily Mail called the number this morning, a recorded message stated: ‘The number you have dialled is not in service. Please check the number and try your call again.’
Others questioned the use of a red logo for a fuel delivery business, noting that petrol pumps in Britain are typically green. Red is the colour commonly used for petrol pumps in Iran.
Fuel2U issued a statement categorically denying any connection to the incident at Fairford, saying it was ‘extremely concerned’ that its name had been placed on one of the vans.
The fuel delivery company also urged the public not to threaten its employees, warning that any threatening messages would be reported to police.
A Fuel2U spokesman said: ‘We want to make it absolutely clear that neither the vehicle nor any of the individuals involved has any connection whatsoever with Fuel2U, its directors, employees or current business operations.
‘We are extremely concerned that our company’s name has been used without our knowledge or permission. We are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and will assist them with any enquiries.’
It added: ‘Fuel2U strongly condemns any unlawful or dangerous activity. We thank the police, emergency services and specialist teams for their continuing work to protect the public and investigate this matter.
‘We understand that people may have questions, but we respectfully ask that members of the public do not contact or threaten our staff. Any threatening or abusive communications will be recorded and reported to the police.’
Five men are seen as police arrest them near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire early yesterday
Armed police officers stand guard on a road outside the perimeter of RAF Fairford this morning
It is understood that Fuel2U has two vans and they were both in London yesterday.
The farmer also said that she spotted the vehicles ‘blocking the road’ while she was driving home, before seeing a ‘large group of hooded and ‘balaclava’d’ men’.
‘They would have seen the bright headlights,’ she said. ‘They probably thought we were the police (and) panicked.’
She added: ‘It would appear that by doing so I just derailed whatever they were planning.’
Officers arrived on the scene around 15 minutes after she dialled 999, she said.
A cordon was put in place near RAF Fairford and more than 80 evacuated households were unable to return home.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said he was ‘really grateful’ to the resident, who has asked not to be identified.
But he added that ‘she does only have a partial picture – and that’s as far as I wish to go this morning’.
US President Donald Trump said the alleged plotters were ‘looking to do big damage’ to the base. He added: ‘It was fantastic. Working with Britain, it was an amazing job.’