Five men arrested near RAF Fairford over a suspected explosives threat have been released on police bail. The counter-terror probe remains active amid tight restrictions, official scrutiny and wider speculation.
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London, Sep 28, 2026 21:12 IST
Five British nationals arrested on suspicion of terror offences over an explosives threat to Royal Air Force base RAF Fairford have been released on police bail, the UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing said on Monday. The men, all in their 20s, remain under investigation after three suspicious vehicles travelling towards the base in south-west England were stopped by armed officers on Sunday.
Counter Terrorism Policing said the investigation is continuing and that the five men are subject to strict conditions on their movement and contact with others. The development came as British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would chair an emergency COBRA meeting to ensure the government had “the full picture of the full situation, very clearly, in our sights”.
The five men were arrested in the Whelford area of Gloucestershire on suspicion of offences under the UK Explosives Act and on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act. “I can confirm that following extensive interviews and enquiries, the five men who were arrested are being released on police bail this afternoon,” CTP chief Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor told reporters.
“To be very clear, this does not mean that the investigation is 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. Earlier, CTP had said the London-based men were being held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and that a custody extension had been secured until later in the day.
The force said specially trained investigators had examined the scene overnight and their work had opened up multiple new lines of enquiry. It said military assets and other resources remained at the site as officers worked to establish the full circumstances of the suspects’ actions, their knowledge and any possible motive. A cordon remains in place in the village, with officers trying to minimise disruption to local communities.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, CTP’s Senior National Coordinator, said, “This is a hugely complex and large-scale operation, involving local and national policing, the MoD, and local agencies, who are working together to progress the investigation and support for the community.” She added, “I am very aware of the levels
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