RAF Fairford area evacuated after explosives arrests

British police declared a major incident and evacuated properties near RAF Fairford in western England on Sunday after arresting several men on suspicion of explosives offences.

Gloucestershire Police said army bomb disposal experts were examining a number of vehicles in the Whelford area, near the Royal Air Force base also used by the United States Air Force. A cordon was in place, and police said officers believed the incident had been contained.

Police said a number of properties were being evacuated in Whelford after the major incident was declared. The BBC said residents from the village had been taken to a nearby leisure centre.

A government spokesperson said Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being kept updated and said emergency services had acted quickly to detain suspects and put safety measures in place. The spokesperson said it would be inappropriate to comment further while investigations continued.

Defence Minister Wes Streeting thanked emergency and specialist teams deployed to the scene and said on X that the situation was being dealt with.

Media reported a large emergency services presence in the area, including a Hazardous Area Response Team. The local MP, Roz Savage, called the situation worrying and said on X that police had told her the incident was believed to be contained.

Fairford is the UK base of the 501st Combat Support Wing, a US Air Force administrative support wing. A statement said personnel there would remain vigilant and take appropriate action to ensure the safety and security of US service members, civilians, contractors and their families.