Five men who were arrested near a British air force base used by American forces over the weekend on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack have been released on bail, authorities revealed on Monday.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of counter-terrorism policing, told reporters in a Monday press conference, “Following extensive interviews and enquiries, the five men who were arrested are being released on police bail this afternoon. To be very clear, this does not mean the investigation is over.”
“To be very clear, this does not mean the investigation is over. They are subject to stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others. They absolutely remain under investigation as we explore multiple lines of enquiry.”
He said that investigators were considering all angles, including that the incident “may be activity committed by proxies, or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state.”
The five suspects were arrested in Whelford in the early hours of Sunday after reports of three vehicles traveling toward RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The suspects were detained on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act, as well as preparation of a terrorist act.
Police said that three of the suspects were 24, one was 25, and one was 23. Three of the suspects resided in Westminster, one in Camden, and one in Willesden, per the Guardian.
A local farmer driving home from a party came upon the group and reported them to police. She said, “I just thought what the h*ll are they doing… I saw a group of Middle Eastern-looking young guys running off through the trees. Some of them had masks or balaclavas on, and they all scattered ahead of us as we drove back past.”
In the wake of the foiled attack, the US embassy in the UK warned Americans in the country to “exercise caution.” An alert stated, “US citizens are encouraged to exercise caution and be mindful of personal security. US citizens are advised to follow instructions of local authorities for their personal safety and security. We remind US citizens that UK authorities rate the threat of terrorism in the UK as severe. US-associated facilities, gatherings, and organizations may be at heightened risk.”
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of counter-terrorism policing, told reporters in a Monday press conference, “Following extensive interviews and enquiries, the five men who were arrested are being released on police bail this afternoon. To be very clear, this does not mean the investigation is over.”
“To be very clear, this does not mean the investigation is over. They are subject to stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others. They absolutely remain under investigation as we explore multiple lines of enquiry.”
He said that investigators were considering all angles, including that the incident “may be activity committed by proxies, or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state.”
The five suspects were arrested in Whelford in the early hours of Sunday after reports of three vehicles traveling toward RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The suspects were detained on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act, as well as preparation of a terrorist act.
Police said that three of the suspects were 24, one was 25, and one was 23. Three of the suspects resided in Westminster, one in Camden, and one in Willesden, per the Guardian.
A local farmer driving home from a party came upon the group and reported them to police. She said, “I just thought what the h*ll are they doing… I saw a group of Middle Eastern-looking young guys running off through the trees. Some of them had masks or balaclavas on, and they all scattered ahead of us as we drove back past.”
In the wake of the foiled attack, the US embassy in the UK warned Americans in the country to “exercise caution.” An alert stated, “US citizens are encouraged to exercise caution and be mindful of personal security. US citizens are advised to follow instructions of local authorities for their personal safety and security. We remind US citizens that UK authorities rate the threat of terrorism in the UK as severe. US-associated facilities, gatherings, and organizations may be at heightened risk.”
