Following recent security threats, British police and emergency services declared a major incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, southwest England, following the arrest of several men under the Explosives Act.
Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed that multiple men were taken into custody on suspicion of explosives offenses. The British Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team was deployed to inspect a number of suspicious vehicles.
“The Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles.”
A strict emergency cordon was established, and local residents in the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated from their properties to a local leisure centre as a precaution.
“A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident. It follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act,” Gloucestershire police said in a statement.
RAF Fairford hosts the U.S. Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and has faced heightened threat awareness following strategic bomber operations. Armed police and roadblocks restricted access to the facility’s main gates.
Around 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, were stationed in the village of Fairford near the base.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Air Force declined to discuss specific force protection measures.
“The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families,” the spokesperson said.
“We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families.”
Police and authorities have noted that the situation is contained, while the U.S. Air Force emphasized that its personnel remain vigilant to ensure the safety of service members and local families.
Whitehall officials say the investigation into the incident is being led by counter-terror police, our security correspondent reports.
