UK police have released five men on bail who were arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack. The men were taken into custody on Sunday after a local farmer reported suspicious activity involving three vans in the area.
What happened
The farmer, a woman in her 50s, noticed the vans were parked in an unusual location and became concerned when she tried to call the number on one of the vans and it didn't work. She then saw a group of men acting strangely and panicking, prompting her to call the police. Despite initial difficulties in getting through to the authorities, her call eventually triggered a rapid response, with armed police arriving at the scene within five minutes.
The five men were arrested and the area was evacuated as a precaution, with residents from 85 homes forced to leave their properties. However, they have since been allowed to return home. The investigation into the suspected plot is ongoing, with police considering all possible angles, including the possibility that the men may have been working on behalf of a foreign state.
Head of counterterrorism policing Laurence Taylor announced that the men would be released on bail, subject to stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others. He emphasized that the investigation is not over and that police are keeping an open mind. The incident has sparked significant interest, with UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood describing it as a foiled terrorist attack and a major victory in the struggle against terrorism.
