The suspected terror plot targeting RAF Fairford was foiled after one of the five men arrested reportedly rang 999, prompting police to intervene before any attack could take place.
The Times reported that police are investigating whether the group members were acting as proxies for Iran. Initial reports suggested a farmer driving home in the early hours of Sunday morning tipped off police to suspicious activity, but officers were already on the scene by then, it has been reported.
Police response and investigation
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor confirmed that no improvised explosive devices were found in the three vans discovered near RAF Fairford, but a quantity of petrol was recovered.
Taylor said: “We can confirm that no improvised explosive devices were found. However, a quantity of petrol was recovered.” He added that the five men were released on police bail and remain under investigation with strict conditions.
Security expert weighs in
Security expert Will Geddes told Metro that the men may have been conducting a ‘dry run’ for a future attack. He said: “This seems to have been a dry run rehearsal before an attack. Many terrorists get picked up during what we call hostile surveillance detection – when they’re taking photographs, driving routes, etc. I think this was their penultimate dry run before actually doing the attack itself.”
The investigation continues, with fears remaining about potential follow-up attacks.
