One of the men arrested after a security alert at RAF Fairford contacted police himself about an hour before a farmer raised the alarm, it has emerged. The development was first reported by The Times.
Five British nationals, all aged in their mid-20s, were detained on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism. They were all released on bail on Monday (28 September).
Farmer's 999 call
Dozens of villagers living near RAF Fairford were evacuated from their homes on Sunday morning (27 September) after a farmer alerted police and warned neighbours when she spotted several men “hanging around” on a rural lane close to the US-used airbase.
The woman, described as a “hero farmer”, called 999 and used WhatsApp to alert people in the surrounding area after discovering three vans blocking a road near the Gloucestershire base.
The farmer, from nearby Whelford, told the press earlier this week that she dialled 999 at around 1.36am after discovering the three vans blocking a road close to RAF Fairford.
Arrests and bail
The suspects are a 24-year-old from Camden, a 23-year-old from Westminster, two further 24-year-olds from Westminster and a 25-year-old, also from Westminster.
Counter-terrorism police said on Tuesday that a quantity of petrol, but no explosive devices, had been found in the vans that triggered the security alert.
Police statement
In an update on Tuesday, head of UK counter-terrorism policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We can confirm that no improvised explosive devices were found. However, a quantity of petrol was recovered.
“Yesterday we released the five men on police bail. They remain under investigation and must adhere to strict conditions while we continue our work.
“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 will have come as a surprise to many, but I’d like to reiterate that it was investigative decision, and one which is grounded in experience and careful consideration of policing powers.”
Earlier on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a television interview that the suspected plot “clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor”, but declined to provide further details. RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers involved in airstrikes against Iran.
