An investigation into an alleged bomb plot at a UK airbase hosting United States forces faced significant confusion on Tuesday, after authorities revealed that no explosives were found, only a “quantity of petrol” in vehicles seized nearby.
Police were alerted to the Royal Air Force Fairford base in southwest England on Sunday following reports of several vans acting suspiciously, prompting an evacuation of the surrounding village and the declaration of a major incident.
“The vehicles underwent extensive examination, and we can confirm that no improvised explosive devices were detected. However, a quantity of petrol was recovered,” stated Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing.
The incident has sparked widespread scrutiny after five London-based individuals were released on bail on Monday, having been arrested earlier on explosives and terror charges. Their release drew criticism from Washington, with US President Donald Trump expressing surprise at the decision.
“I understand that this outcome may be unexpected, but I emphasize that it was an investigative decision,” Taylor remarked, in response to Trump’s comments.
“I wouldn’t have done that,” Trump told reporters, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested the involvement of a “foreign actor.”
Speculation surrounding the event near the Fairford airbase, which supports US military operations against Iran, has been rampant. Iran’s embassy in London has firmly denied any involvement, calling the allegations “categorically rejected and strongly condemned.”
The latest findings have bolstered theories that the suspects might be fuel thieves, amid rising energy costs in the UK. However, the incident led to the evacuation of 85 homes in a nearby village, displacing residents for at least one night.
Police confirmed searches in London and anticipated winding down operations by Wednesday.
‘Embarrassing’
Patricia, a 60-year-old resident of Kempsford village, described the situation as “embarrassing that the world thought it was a terrorist attack, only to find it was a lot of noise for nothing.”
The scare originated when a farmer in Whelford village reported three vans blocking a road and masked individuals fleeing the scene. Armed officers arrested five men, all London residents in their mid-20s, on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing a terrorist act.
Authorities noted that the men remain under investigation and must comply with strict conditions.
Security at the base had been heightened recently, following UK authorization in March for US forces to conduct defensive operations against Iran. Fairford is the sole mainland UK base used for such missions, with US bombers frequently observed there.
Aerial images revealed the vans contained barrels, with one displaying a fake logo and contact information mimicking a legitimate diesel delivery company. The actual firm, Fuel2U, distanced itself from the incident, stating no connection to the vehicles or individuals and cooperating with police.
Local residents expressed skepticism, with one noting the odd timing of the activity. “If they were real terrorists, they wouldn’t have been released,” she commented.
This incident follows a previous security breach at a British military camp, where intruders stole fuel by cutting through a fence.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
