Police schedule information points after RAF Fairford evacuation

Police remained at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Monday morning, with a 400-metre cordon still in place outside nearby Whelford, Sky News reported. About 85 households were evacuated as a precaution on Sunday and could not return home overnight. [7] [9]

Counter Terrorism Policing said officers were called at around 12.45am on Sunday about three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be travelling towards the airbase. Armed officers arrested five men in the Whelford area on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. The men were subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. All five were still in custody when police issued an update on Sunday afternoon. [2]

An Army explosives-disposal unit examined the vehicles inside the cordon. Cotswold District Council was seeking accommodation for some of the evacuated households, the Press Association reported. [2] [9]

Police have not identified an intended target or said what the vehicle examinations found. RAF Fairford hosts US Air Force heavy bombers. [2] [9]

Update

British counter-terrorism police said the vehicles were extensively examined with military resources and forensic specialists. Officers seized liquid fuel but found no improvised explosive devices. Police also searched premises in London. [10]

Five British men arrested near the Gloucestershire base on Sunday on suspicion of explosives offences and intending to carry out a terrorist attack have since been released on bail. Police said they remain part of the investigation. [10]

Update

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said he understood why the release of five men arrested near RAF Fairford had surprised people. The head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing described their release on conditional bail as an investigative decision grounded in experience and careful consideration of policing powers. All five remain under investigation. [11]

Taylor also said international commentary had heightened public concern about the incident, as reported by the BBC and Associated Press. [15] [16] He said the initial police response followed a range of information, including a report from a member of the public about suspicious vehicles near the air base. [11]

Searches of properties in London have finished, Taylor said. Police were reducing the investigative scenes around RAF Fairford and expected to close them by 30 September. The wider investigation remains active. [11]

Update

Gloucestershire Police removed the cordon and reopened the scene near RAF Fairford on Wednesday, 30 September, the BBC reports. [20]

Five men arrested in the case were initially suspected of offences under the Explosives Act. They were subsequently further arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. [20]

All five men were later released on police bail. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said on Monday that they remained under investigation as police pursued multiple lines of enquiry. [20]

Update

A Whelford woman told the BBC that the evacuation near RAF Fairford had left her feeling “like sitting ducks”. Her main concern was communication and care from the neighbouring military base. She drew a distinction between that concern and the response of UK and local authorities, which she praised. [22]

The Cotswolds Neighbourhood Policing Team has announced information points where residents can discuss concerns following the incident. Officers are due at Fairford Community Centre at 11:00 on 1 October and 14:00 on 3 October. A further session is scheduled for 14:00 on 3 October at The Long Table in Cirencester’s Market Place. [21]