'Quantity of petrol' but no homemade bombs found in vans near RAF base, police say

Armed police at a checkpoint near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Five British nationals were detained on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism on Sunday after three vans were found near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which has been used (Image: Ben Birchall)

A QUANTITY of petrol but no explosive devices were found in the vans that sparked a major security alert near an RAF base used by the US, police have said.

Five men who were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and later terrorism were all released on bail on Monday, which head of UK counter-terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said was an investigative decision.

Villagers living near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, dozens of whom were dramatically evacuated from their homes on Sunday morning, were slowly returning to normal on Tuesday.

In an update on Tuesday, Taylor said: “We can confirm that no improvised explosive devices were found. However, a quantity of petrol was recovered.

“Yesterday we released the five men on police bail. They remain under investigation and must adhere to strict conditions while we continue our work.

Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson thanked residents and emergency services following the police operation near RAF Fairford. Pictured: Police at a road block near RAF Fairford (Image: Ben Birchall/PA)

“The safety of the public is at the forefront of our investigative decision making, and this was certainly the case yesterday.

“I understand why this development will have come as a surprise to many, but I’d like to reiterate that it was investigative decision, and one which is grounded in experience and careful consideration of policing powers.”