'Quantity of petrol' but no explosives found in three vehicles near RAF Fairford

A quantity of petrol but no explosive devices were found during searches of the three vans near RAF Fairford in the west of England, counter-terror police have said.

Five men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and later terrorism offences after the vehicles were spotted in the early hours of Sunday, sparking a major security incident around the base which is operated by the US military.

They were released on bail the following day in what police described as an "investigative decision" which was "grounded in experience and strategy".

It comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it was clear a "foreign actor" had been involved, without providing evidence.

Police were alerted to "three suspicious vehicles" in Whelford, a village which lies directly east of the base, by a member of the public in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The woman who called 999 told the BBC it was "pure luck" she had spotted them, having arrived home to find the road blocked and a "large group of hooded and masked men".

"I believe that my 999 call foiled whatever plans they had," she said.

A bomb disposal team arrived on scene shortly afterwards and a 400m (1,312ft) cordon was put in place.

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