Five men arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire have been released on police bail after counter-terrorism officers confirmed no explosive devices were found in their vehicles — only petrol. A new twist has also emerged: one of the suspects is understood to have called 999 himself, before a local farmer raised the alarm.
This follows our earlier report: Major incident declared near RAF Fairford as police cordon off airbase and arrest several men.
No explosives — only petrol
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, confirmed on Tuesday that the three vans found near the village of Whelford, close to the Gloucestershire airbase, had been subjected to “extensive examination with the support of military assets and forensic experts”. He told reporters: “We can confirm that no improvised explosive devices have been found. We have found a quantity of an accelerant, petrol, and we have recovered that as part of our investigation.”
Suspect called 999 before farmer raised the alarm
The BBC is reporting that one of the five suspects called the 999 emergency line at approximately 00:45 BST on Sunday morning — almost an hour before a local farmer made her own call at around 01:36 BST after spotting the vans and men in balaclavas. No explanation has been given for why the suspect called police. AC Taylor said the police response had been activated due to “a range of information” received.
Five London men bailed with strict conditions
The five men — all UK nationals aged between 23 and 25, from Westminster and Camden in London — were released on police bail on Monday in what counter-terrorism police described as “an investigative decision grounded in experience and strategy”. They remain under investigation and are subject to “stringent conditions” on their movement and contact with others. Searches of their London homes are now complete.
Foreign state proxy angle investigated
Officers are exploring “multiple lines of inquiry”, AC Taylor said, including whether the men were acting as proxies — knowingly or unknowingly — for a foreign state. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed foreign actors were “clearly” involved, and US President Donald Trump expressed surprise that the suspects had been bailed. Tehran has denied any involvement. British police have not confirmed any foreign link and say they are examining all possibilities.
Cordons to be lifted Wednesday
Police cordons near the base are expected to be completely lifted on Wednesday. Residents from the 85 households evacuated on Sunday were allowed to return home on Monday evening. Airspace restrictions remain in force, with a five-mile no-fly zone around the base still in operation. The investigation continues.
Sources: BBC News, Gloucestershire Live, The Independent, The National (29–30 September 2026)
