Five British men, all in their 20s, who were arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences, have been released on police bail. The men, from London and aged between 23-25, remain under investigation.
The incident began with two early-morning calls to police on Sunday, 27 September, regarding suspicious vehicles near the airbase. One of the men later arrested reportedly made the first 999 call. A farmer made a second call after seeing three vans and a group of hooded and masked men.
Gloucestershire Constabulary arrested the five men in the Whelford area. Counter Terrorism Policing later took over the investigation, stating the men were further arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Properties in London were searched as part of the ongoing enquiries.
After an extensive examination of the three vehicles, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor confirmed that no improvised explosive devices were found, but a quantity of petrol was recovered. The cordon in Whelford has since been removed, and the scene reopened.