Fuel thieves suspected as police find petrol not explosives in UK airbase scare
FAIRFORD: A UK probe into a suspected bomb plot at an airbase used by the United States was mired in confusion Tuesday, as police said no explosives but a “quantity of petrol” was found in vehicles seized nearby.
Police investigating a suspected bomb plot at the Royal Air Force Fairford base in southwest England discovered a quantity of petrol in vehicles seized nearby, but no explosives, on Sunday. The incident initially triggered an evacuation of a nearby village and a major incident declaration. Police received reports from residents about suspicious vans and masked men fleeing the scene.
The five London-based Britons arrested on Sunday, suspected of explosives offenses and preparing a terrorist act, were released on bail the following day. The situation raised questions as Iran's embassy in London strongly condemned speculation of Iranian involvement, while the US criticized the release of the suspects. Speculation grew that the men might be fuel thieves, considering the rise in energy prices in the UK.
The security scare led to the evacuation of 85 homes in a nearby village, causing embarrassment for a resident who felt it was an unnecessary terrorist attack. The investigation continues, with police searching homes in London and planning to stand down operations by Wednesday.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
