'Quantity of petrol' found in three vans near RAF Fairford, but officers have found no improvised explosive devices, police confirm

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 13:11 EDT, 29 September 2026 | Updated: 13:23 EDT, 29 September 2026 Police have confirmed that no explosive devices were found in vans near RAF Fairford, but a 'quantity of petrol' was recovered.Counter terrorism police gave an update on the major incident at the RAF base over the weekend.Five suspects, all men aged between 23 and 25, were detained outside RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in the early hours of Sunday morning – but were bailed within 36 hours.Head of UK counter-terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said the decision to bail the suspects was an 'investigative decision'. Speaking outside Scotland Yard, Assistant Commissioner Taylor said: 'I understand why this development will have come as a surprise to many, but I'd like to reiterate that it was an investigative decision, and one which is grounded in experience and careful consideration of policing powers.' He added: '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.'Those vehicles have been subject to extensive examination, with the support of military assets and forensic experts, and we can confirm that no improvised explosive devices were found. However, a quantity of petrol was recovered.'Assistant Commissioner Taylor stressed that public safety was at the 'forefront' of decision-making when letting suspects out on bail. Counter terrorism police are continuing to investigate after petrol was recovered from vans found near RAF Fairford Assistant Commissioner Taylor stressed that public safety was at the 'forefront' of decision-making when letting suspects out on bailThe British nationals were detained on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences on Sunday after three vans were found near RAF Fairford, a Gloucestershire base that has been used by the US military to carry out strikes against Iran. Residents from around 85 evacuated households were allowed to return home on Monday.This is a breaking news story. More to Follow.