Police swooped on RAF Fairford after a suspect reportedly dialled 999 himself, it is understood. The suspect alerted officers at 12:45am on Sunday, almost one hour before a female farmer also ended up dialling 999 when she saw several men near the air base also used by US forces.
Arrests and release on bail
Officers arrested five men on suspicion of explosive offences before apprehending them on terrorism offences. The incident was sparked after three vans were seen near the Gloucestershire base, though all five men were later released on bail on Monday.
Police said they found petrol but no explosives following a search of the vehicles. They added it was a suspect who alerted authorities, reports The Times and BBC.
Farmer's account
The female farmer later told the BBC it was "pure luck" she saw a road leading back to her property was blocked as well as "a large group of hooded and masked men."
"I believe that my 999 call foiled whatever plans they had," she added. A bomb disposal team later arrived on scene shortly afterward and a 1,32ft cordon was later put in place as investigations continued.
Investigation and bail conditions
Counter terror police said 85 homes were evacuated on Sunday, though residents have since been able to return to their properties. All five men who were arrested are British nationals and are aged between 23 and 25.
Four live in Westminster and another is listed at a Camden address. Police have completed searches of their homes.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing, told reporters yesterday their bail was "subject to stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others." He added: "The safety of the public is at the forefront of our investigative decision-making, and this was certainly the case yesterday.
"I understand why this development was surprising to some, but I would like to reiterate that this is an investigative decision and one which is grounded in experience and strategy."
