**Police Detain Four Following Vandalism of Military Planes at RAF Brize Norton**
Authorities have apprehended four individuals following a security breach at RAF Brize Norton, where two military aircraft sustained damage during an incident attributed to the activist collective Palestine Action. The arrests, which occurred on Thursday, are the latest development in an ongoing inquiry into what police have described as a potential terrorism-related offence.
Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) confirmed that three people—a 29-year-old woman and two men aged 36 and 24—were taken into custody under suspicion of committing a terror offence. Additionally, a 41-year-old woman has been detained for allegedly assisting an offender, according to statements from the police. The initial incident at the Oxfordshire base unfolded on 20 June.
Eye-catching footage shared online by Palestine Action shows the moment campaigners gained entry to the heavily secured airbase. The video appears to reveal an individual using an electric scooter to approach an Airbus Voyager, one of the air force’s vital air-to-air refuelling tankers, and deface it by spraying paint directly into its jet engine. This act not only raised concerns about the physical security of military assets, but also reignited debate around political protests and their potential to escalate into criminal activity.
RAF Brize Norton, located in Oxfordshire, serves as a critical hub for RAF transport and refuelling operations. Security at the site is stringent, which has added to the gravity with which officials view this breach. The damage sustained by the aircraft and the manner in which the incident was carried out are both under close review by military and police investigators.
All four suspects were arrested at separate locations in London and in the Newbury area of Berkshire. They are currently being questioned by authorities as investigators work to clarify the extent of their involvement and the precise motivations behind the act.
The activist group behind the incident, Palestine Action, is expected to become subject to a government ban in the near future, underlining the increased scrutiny now applied to protest groups perceived as engaging in unlawful or extreme measures. The footage released by Palestine Action prompting this police action has further polarised public opinion around the legitimacy and boundaries of protest.
Counter-terrorism officials have not released detailed information regarding possible charges, but the use of anti-terror laws in this case indicates the seriousness with which the security services regard any interference with sensitive military infrastructure. While some members of the public express concern about the increasing criminalisation of protest actions, police maintain that security concerns must be prioritised when national defence assets are at risk.
The incident has also highlighted broader questions about base security and the methods activists may use to draw attention to international conflicts. While Palestine Action asserts that such direct-action protests are designed to raise awareness and provoke discussion around issues related to the Middle East, critics argue these tactics are reckless and put critical infrastructure, as well as public safety, in jeopardy.
Investigations are ongoing, with a renewed emphasis being placed on strengthening security protocols at military sites across the country to prevent similar breaches. Meanwhile, the four suspects remain in custody as authorities continue their enquiries, with further updates expected in the coming days.