No homemade bombs found in vans near RAF Fairford, say police

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Police discovered a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices in the vans that sparked a major security alert near an RAF base used by the US, police have said.

A huge terror probe was launched after police were alerted to a suspected terrorist bomb plot at RAF Fairford on Sunday. A 400-metre cordon was thrown around the scene as bomb disposal experts examined three vans at the centre of the counter-terrorism police investigation.

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.

In an update on Tuesday, Mr 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.

“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.”

More to follow…