Men arrested, homes evacuated in major incident at UK base hosting US Air Force

A major incident has been declared and several people evacuated from their houses near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after several men were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, police said.

Residents were taken to a nearby leisure centre while the Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team examined a number of vehicles at the scene. Armed police have also established a cordon around the area, BBC reported.

Gloucestershire Police said it believed the incident was contained and was working with other emergency services. A large response was reported in the area, including a Hazardous Area Response Team.

Reuters, citing an eyewitness, reported that armed police were blocking access to the main gate of RAF Fairford and around 30 emergency vehicles were stationed nearby.

RAF Fairford hosts US Air Force personnel and operations. Security around the base had already been increased in recent days, with roadblocks and armed police restricting access, according to Reuters.

A US Air Force spokesperson said the military was aware of the reports but 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.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the US military presence at Fairford.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned in July against allowing US bombers to operate from the base, while the UK said its armed forces were prepared to protect the country from attack.

Police have not said whether the current incident is linked to the US military presence or any wider security threat.- Ends