The RAF Fairford suspects were ‘just thieves syphoning fuel’, according to sources.
Five men arrested over a suspected terror plot were released on police bail today (Monday) following “extensive interviews”, just over a day after the major incident began.
Two separate military sources told Wiltshire 999s that they were thieves syphoning fuel, with barrels to store the stolen liquids and other equipment found in three vans.
Both said that it was unlikely to be confirmed officially, with one describing the situation as “embarrassing”. The vans were reportedly found close to a diesel supply.
Despite the terror scare, it’s claimed no explosives were found.
The claims have not been officially confirmed by Counter Terrorism Policing, which says its investigation remains ongoing despite no charges at this stage.
Nazir Afzal OBE, a former Chief Crown Prosecutor, has also commented on the suspects being released so soon after their arrests.
He pointed out that terrorism suspects can be detained for significantly longer, but said police only needed around a day before releasing the five men on bail.
Mr Afzal said it was therefore “reasonable to assume” they are not terrorist suspects.
He also suggested that had explosives been discovered, charges would have followed, before urging people to “leave the police to do their job”.
His comments represent his assessment of the developments and have not been confirmed as the findings of the police investigation.
Police have stressed that releasing the five men on bail does not mean the investigation is over and said multiple lines of inquiry continue to be explored.
The five British men, aged between 23 and 25 and from London, were arrested outside RAF Fairford after reports of three suspicious vans in the early hours of Sunday morning (27 September).
Armed police swooped on the vehicles in the Whelford area after receiving a 999 call at around 12.45am.
The men were initially arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.
They were later further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, with Counter Terrorism Policing taking over the investigation.
The incident prompted a huge multi-agency response involving armed police, army bomb disposal specialists, fire crews and specialist Hazardous Area Response Team ambulances.
A 400-metre cordon was established around the three vans and around 85 households were evacuated.
Bomb disposal specialists spent hours examining the vehicles, including using a specialist robot.
Wiltshire 999s estimated around 100 police vehicles and approximately ten specialist ambulances were deployed at the height of the incident.
Police have said the investigation remains ongoing as officers work to establish the circumstances of the men’s activity, their knowledge and any motivation behind the incident.
RAF Fairford is operated by the US Air Force and supports American military operations, including deployments of strategic bombers.
