UK police find no explosives in vans linked to air base incident
British counterterrorism police say they found no explosive devices in three vans linked to five men arrested near RAF Fairford, a U.S.-used air base in
British counterterrorism police say they found no explosive devices in three vans linked to five men arrested near RAF Fairford, a U.S.-used air base in western England. The search did turn up petrol. No bombs.
The update on Tuesday sharpened, rather than settled, the mystery around an incident that began before sunrise on Sunday in the village of Whelford, next to the Gloucestershire base. Residents were told to leave their homes as armed officers swarmed the area. One witness later photographed five men on the ground, stripped to the waist and handcuffed.
Bail decision raises fresh questions
Police later released the five on bail, a move that surprised U.S. President Donald Trump and drew scrutiny because the arrests had initially been made on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. Counterterrorism officers said the decision to grant bail was based on “experience and strategy.”
Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said in an emailed statement that no improvised explosive devices were found. “However, a quantity of petrol was recovered,” he said.
The men remain under investigation. Police have not said what, exactly, they believe happened.
A base with global reach
RAF Fairford has long been used by American bombers, including during conflicts in the Middle East and, more recently, in this year’s war with Iran. That history has amplified concern around the case far beyond Gloucestershire, where the airfield sits behind fences and a sign now stands near the scene of the police operation.
The episode has also fed wider unease over security around military sites that serve allied forces. A major incident was declared at the base after the arrests, and investigators have said they are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.
Trump told reporters on Monday that he was surprised the five British men were freed a day after their arrest. “I wouldn’t have done that,” he said. Taylor, though, defended the police response and said the inquiry remains active.
The case is still moving. For now, the key finding is simple: no explosive devices were located at the scene.
