GLOUCESTERSHIRE, United Kingdom: One of the five men arrested near RAF Fairford had contacted emergency services himself before a major security operation was launched around the military base, according to reports.
The man called 999 at 00:45 BST on Sunday, almost an hour before a female farmer alerted police after seeing several masked individuals and suspicious vehicles near the Gloucestershire site.
The five men were initially arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and later on suspicion of terrorism offences after three vans were found near Whelford, a village close to RAF Fairford.
Security operation launched
Police said searches of the vehicles found a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices.
A bomb disposal team attended the scene, and authorities established a 400-metre cordon around the area. Residents from 85 homes were temporarily evacuated but were later allowed to return.
The farmer who contacted police said she had returned home and found the road blocked by a group of hooded and masked men.
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She told the media that her call had potentially prevented further action, although police said their response was based on multiple sources of information.
Investigation continues
The five suspects, all UK nationals aged between 23 and 25, were released on bail on Monday as part of what police described as an “investigative decision”.
Four of the men are from Westminster and one from Camden. Police said searches of their homes had been completed and the investigation remained ongoing.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said the decision was based on experience and strategy, with strict conditions placed on the suspects’ movements and contact with others.
Security concerns
RAF Fairford is used as a forward operating location by the US Air Force and has hosted American military aircraft for decades.
Police said investigators were exploring multiple lines of inquiry, including whether individuals acting knowingly or unknowingly on behalf of a foreign state could have been involved.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a Cobra meeting following the incident and urged people not to speculate while authorities established the facts.
