The five men arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire early on Sunday have been released on police bail but remain under active investigation, counter-terrorism police confirmed on Monday.
Counter Terrorism Policing identified the suspects as five British nationals aged between 23 and 25, all London residents from the boroughs of Camden, Westminster (three men), and Willesden. They were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and preparation of a terrorist act under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, confirmed the bail release at a press conference on Monday afternoon, but stressed the investigation was far from over.
“They are subject to stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others. They absolutely remain under investigation as we explore multiple lines of enquiry,” he said.
Cordon and evacuations continue
A cordon remained in place around the village of Whelford on Monday, with around 85 properties evacuated and approximately 28 residents needing hotel accommodation after being unable to return home overnight. Cotswold District Council said approximately 60 people had been supported at a rest centre at Cirencester Leisure Centre at the peak of the incident.
The men were detained after a local farmer spotted three vans and a group of “hooded and masked men” near the base in the early hours of Sunday and called police. Speaking to the BBC, she said she had “no choice but to turn my vehicle around” when she saw them.
COBRA meeting called
AC Taylor said officers were “keeping an open mind” on the incident’s motivation, including the possibility it involved individuals “either knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state.” Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced he would chair an emergency COBRA meeting to ensure the government had “the full picture.”
The Gloucestershire-based airbase has been used by the US Air Force for operations in the Middle East. President Donald Trump said the suspects had been detained following US-UK cooperation and had been “under view for some time”, though UK police said the arrests were triggered by the late-night report of suspicious vehicles near the perimeter.
Significant police and military resources remain at the scene as investigators pursue multiple lines of enquiry.
Sources: Counter Terrorism Policing press statement, Gloucestershire Live, Reuters, BBC News, AP.
This follows our earlier report: Major incident declared near RAF Fairford as police cordon airbase and arrest several men.
