Police find petrol but no explosives in RAF Fairford vans

Summarised from 11 outlets · 15 reports · Updated 30 Sept, 07:56 · Archive

Police found a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices in three vans near RAF Fairford.

Five British nationals were arrested in the early hours of Sunday after a member of the public reported suspicious activity involving three vans near RAF Fairford, a Gloucestershire airbase. Following extensive examination by police with military and forensic support, no improvised explosive devices were found in the vans, though a quantity of petrol was recovered. The five men have been released on bail. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor of Counter Terrorism Policing said the decision to release them on bail was grounded in experience and strategy. The Japan Times reports that investigators believe it may involve proxies for Iran but are keeping an open mind to other possibilities.

How it is being reported

• U.K. police find fuel but no explosives at Fairford sceneInvestigators still believe it may be a plot involving proxies for Iran but are keeping an open mind to other possibilities.The Japan Times · 29 Sept, 23:06
• RAF Fairford 'terror plot' foiled after suspect called policeScotland Yard also confirmed no improvised explosive devices were found in the three vans discovered near RAF Fairford, but a ‘quantity of petrol was recovered’Evening Standard · 29 Sept, 20:59
• Mystery over UK airbase scare as police find 'quantity of petrol' but no explosivesBritain's counter-terrorism police said on Tuesday that no improvised explosive devices had been found as part of an investigation into a suspected plot targeting a British airbase used by US forces to strike Iran, deepening uncertainty over the incident a day after five UK-based suspects were released on bail.France 24 · 29 Sept, 20:05
• ‘Quantity of petrol’ but no homemade bombs found in vans near RAF base – policeAssistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor gave an update on the investigation on Tuesday.Evening Standard · 29 Sept, 19:37
• 'Quantity of petrol' but no explosives found in three vehicles near RAF FairfordPolice say the decision to release five men on bail is one "grounded in experience and strategy".BBC News · 29 Sept, 19:02
• No explosives found in three vans searched near RAF Fairford, say policeHead of counter-terrorism policing defends decision to bail five British men arrested in connection with the incident No explosive devices were found in three vans searched near RAF Fairford as part of a terrorism investigation but a quantity of petrol was recovered, police have said. Five British nationals were arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning after a resident living near the Gloucestershire airbase reported suspicious activity involving three vans. Continue reading...The Guardian · 29 Sept, 18:56
• Police search London properties in probe into 'terror plot' on RAF FairfordScotland Yard also confirmed no improvised explosive devices were found in the three vans discovered near RAF Fairford, but a ‘quantity of petrol was recovered’Evening Standard · 29 Sept, 18:42
• RAF Fairford plot is ‘not over’ amid fears of ‘follow-up attacks’The government is said to be on high alert (Picture: Getty) The five men arrested near RAF Fairford may have been conducting a ‘dry run’ for a future attack, a source has warned. The British nationals were detained on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism on Sunday after three vans were…Metro · 29 Sept, 18:39
• ‘Quantity of petrol’ but no homemade bombs found in vans near RAF base – policeAssistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor gave an update on the investigation on Tuesday.Evening Standard · 29 Sept, 18:32
• No homemade bombs found in vans near RAF Fairford, say policeOfficers discovered a ‘quantity of petrol’ in the vehiclesThe Independent · 29 Sept, 18:22
• 'Quantity of petrol' found in three vans near RAF Fairford, but officers have found no improvised explosive devices, police confirmPolice have confirmed that no explosive devices were found in vans near RAF Fairford, but a 'quantity of petrol' has been recovered.Daily Mail · 29 Sept, 18:18
• No explosive device found in seized vans outside RAF FairfordNo improvised explosive devices were found in the three vans seized near RAF Fairford, the Head of Counter Terrorism Policing said. Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “A police response was activated in the early hours of Sunday morning due to a range of information that we received. “This included a call from the member of public about several vehicles acting suspiciously close to RAF Fairford. “Now, those vehicles, as I explained yesterday, have been subject to extensive examination, with the support of military assets and forensic experts, and…GB News · 29 Sept, 18:09
• Terror cops probing RAF Fairford 'plot' discovered 'quantity of petrol' in vansFive British nationals were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism - and have now been released on bail - after the three vans were found near RAF Fairford in GloucestershireThe Mirror · 29 Sept, 18:07
• ‘Quantity of petrol’ but no homemade bombs found in vans near RAF base – policeAssistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor gave an update on the investigation on Tuesday.Evening Standard · 29 Sept, 18:06
• Police issue bombshell update on what was in RAF Fairford vans used in 'bomb terror plot'Police made a staggering discovery during investigations.Daily Express · 29 Sept, 18:05

In this story: RAF Fairford · Gloucestershire · Laurence Taylor · Counter Terrorism Policing

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