No explosives found near RAF Fairford

RAF Fairford Incident

The investigation into a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford has taken a significant turn, with police confirming that no explosive devices were found in three vans searched near the airbase. The vans, which were discovered on Sunday, were found to contain a quantity of petrol, but no improvised explosive devices were recovered. As Laurence Taylor, the Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, stated: "Those vehicles have been subject to extensive examination, with the support of military assets and forensic experts, and we can confirm that no improvised explosive devices were found. However, a quantity of petrol was recovered."

Arrests and Releases

Five British men were arrested on Sunday in connection with the incident, on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism. However, they were released on bail on Monday under strict conditions, with Taylor defending the decision as an investigative one. Taylor stated that the men remain under investigation and must adhere to strict conditions while the police continue their work. The decision to release the men on bail has been met with surprise from some, including US President Donald Trump, who expressed his surprise at the release, saying: "I will tell you, I would have said ‘Don’t let them have bail’. I’m surprised that they released them. I wouldn’t have done that."

Possible Foreign Involvement

Speculation has grown about a possible connection to Iran, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claiming that the incident "clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor". Rubio did not provide further details, but his comments have sparked concerns about the potential involvement of foreign states in the incident. Iran has denied any involvement, with its London embassy stating that it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations" of Iranian involvement. As Taylor noted: "We are considering this from every possible angle, including that this may be actively committed by proxies or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state."

Investigation Ongoing

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with police continuing to examine the scene and explore multiple lines of inquiry. The Head of Counter Terrorism Policing has stated that the force is considering every possible angle, and the situation will likely remain a key focus of attention in the coming days and weeks. As the police continue to work on the investigation, residents who were evacuated from their homes near the airbase have been allowed to return. According to local residents, life is returning to normal, with Mark Richings, a butcher in Fairford, saying: "There’s no change in here and we just got on with it as normal. We are a bit quieter today, but everybody seems to be OK, and we are having a bit of a chat about it."

Detail	Information
Number of vans searched	3
Number of men arrested	5
Location of men arrested	London

Frequently Asked Questions

Were any explosive devices found in the vans?

No, according to the police, no explosive devices were found in the three vans searched near RAF Fairford.

What was found in the vans?

A quantity of petrol was recovered from the vans, which were marked with the logo of a legitimate fuel transit company that later denied ownership.

What is the current status of the investigation?

The investigation is ongoing, with police continuing to examine the scene and explore multiple lines of inquiry. The five men arrested in connection with the incident have been released on bail under strict conditions.