Five British nationals arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism have been released on police bail after extensive interviews and inquiries, police said.
The men were arrested on Sunday after three suspicious vans were found near the Gloucestershire airbase, which is used by the US.
Investigation remains ongoing
The material found in connection with the vans was reportedly not viable explosives. However, police said the investigation was continuing and the five men remained under investigation.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said the men were subject to stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others as multiple lines of inquiry were explored.
Counter Terrorism Policing was keeping an open mind about whether the current geopolitical context had a bearing on the incident. It was also considering whether proxies or individuals may have acted knowingly or unknowingly on behalf of a foreign state.
Iran’s London embassy categorically rejected and strongly condemned what it called unfounded and malicious speculation about Iranian involvement.
Homes evacuated near RAF Fairford
Dozens of homes near RAF Fairford were evacuated while bomb disposal experts examined the vans. Evacuated residents were later told they could return home on Monday evening.
Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said Counter Terrorism Policing was leading the investigation and urged people to avoid speculation while inquiries continued.
Counter Terrorism Policing said its protective security advice and posture had been kept proportionate to the threat while the incident was assessed.
Political response
Prime Minister Andy Burnham held a Cobra meeting on Monday evening to ensure the government had the full picture of the incident, according to LBC.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said police and the security services had acted rapidly to help contain the situation, adding that the investigation remained ongoing.
Mr Streeting also said the events had caused considerable disruption to the local community and wider public concern.
What happened after the vans were spotted?
Gloucestershire Constabulary was alerted at 12.45am on Sunday to three suspicious vans travelling towards RAF Fairford, although it was unclear what action was taken during the following hour.
A local farmer who saw the vans and a group of masked men first called the Ministry of Defence Police but received no answer. The farmer then called 999 at 1.36am, and armed police arrived about 10 minutes later.
The five suspects were a 24-year-old from Camden, three men aged 23, 24 and 25 from Westminster, and a 24-year-old from Willesden.
Related: Tommy Robinson reportedly arrested at airport by counter-terrorism police
Source: Evening Standard
