UK police say no explosive devices found in airbase probe

September 29, 2026 1:13 PM EDT

A police officer guards an area as roadblocks remain in place near RAF Fairford airbase, after police declared a major incident at the base and arrested several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, who have since been released on bail, i

LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - ‌Britain's ​counter-terrorism ​police said on Tuesday that no improvised explosive devices had ‌been found as part of an ⁠investigation into a suspected plot targeting a ‌British airbase used by ‌US forces to strike Iran.

Police said a quantity of petrol had been ​recovered during searches of vehicles at the scene. They added that ⁠searches of properties in London had been carried out, ​and investigative scenes around RAF Fairford were being scaled back and ​were expected to close ‌completely by Wednesday.

Five men arrested on Sunday remain under investigation ⁠after being released on bail, with police saying the decision to release them ⁠was an investigative one.

"I understand why this ​development will have come as a surprise to many, but I'd like to reiterate that ‌it was investigative decision, and one which is grounded in ‌experience and careful consideration of policing ⁠powers," Laurence Taylor, ‌head of ​national counter terrorism policing, said.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; editing by William ‌James)



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