The dual British and Iranian national arrested in London on Thursday over the events at RAF Fairford has been released on bail, and searches of two properties in Westminster have now concluded, Counter Terrorism Policing stated on Saturday.
The 25-year-old was detained in the borough of Westminster on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. He is the sixth person to be arrested and then bailed in connection with the activity near the Gloucestershire airfield on Sunday 27 September.
Counter Terrorism Policing said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is continuing. Nobody has been charged.
Five men in their twenties were arrested in the early hours of Sunday after Gloucestershire Constabulary received a report of suspicious vehicles near the base, initially on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and subsequently of preparation of a terrorist act. A major incident was declared and homes were evacuated in the village of Whelford, which sits beside the airfield. All five remain on police bail, and all are London residents, four in Westminster and one in Camden.
Three vehicles were examined and no improvised explosive devices were found in them, although a quantity of petrol was recovered. Vicki Evans, the Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said earlier in the week that officers were looking at all possible angles, including possible foreign state involvement, and described the investigation as hugely complex with specialist teams working multiple lines of enquiry.
Fairford is a United States Air Force forward operating location rather than a flying station of the Royal Air Force, and the length of its runway has made it the standing European base for American strategic bombers. B-1B Lancers have been operating from the airfield, and the base moved to its highest force protection condition before the arrests were made.
Counter Terrorism Policing has asked anyone with information that might assist the investigation to report it through gov.uk/ACT or by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
