British counterterrorism police are investigating a significant incident near a US Air Force base following the arrest of several men on suspicion of explosives-related offenses.
Villagers have been evacuated and Army bomb disposal units are examining a number of vehicles, according to Gloucestershire Police.
Multiple UK media outlets, including the BBC and Sky News, reported that the counterterrorism unit is leading the investigation near RAF Fairford, though this has not been independently verified.
A security cordon remains in place, and authorities believe the situation has been contained. In March, then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized defensive US operations against Iranian missile sites from two UK bases, including Fairford.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been briefed on the incident, a government spokesperson said, adding: “We are grateful to the emergency services, who acted quickly to detain several suspects and implemented measures to ensure community safety.”
“It would be inappropriate to comment further while investigations are ongoing,” police said.
Defense Minister Wes Streeting praised the “emergency and specialist teams” deployed to the scene, writing on X: “We can be reassured that this is being dealt with.”
Media reports indicated a large emergency services presence, including a Hazardous Area Response Team.
“A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident,” Gloucestershire Police stated. Several men were arrested “on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act.”
Villagers evacuated
Residents from the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated to a local leisure center, the BBC reported.
Whelford sits adjacent to Royal Air Force Fairford, which is also utilized by the United States Air Force. The base hosts the 501st Combat Support Wing, a US Air Force administrative support unit.
In a statement, the wing confirmed that no US Air Force personnel were involved in the incident. “The 501st Combat Support Wing appreciates the swift response and continued support of our local law enforcement partners,” it said, adding: “We remain in close coordination with our UK partners to help ensure the safety and security of both our military and local communities.”
The area’s MP, Roz Savage, described the situation as “worrying.” “I have contacted the police for further updates, and I’ve been told that it is believed the incident is contained,” she said on X.
The incident follows heightened concerns about hostile foreign state activity.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood has accused Iran and Russia of using proxies to carry out criminal activities on UK soil.
Earlier this month, reports indicated British military sites were targeted by drones over 300 times in the past year. While the defense ministry did not attribute responsibility, the figures coincide with European warnings about an uptick in suspected Russian hybrid operations.
UK Armed Forces Minister Louise Sandher-Jones told AFP the government was “taking the threat posed by hostile drones to defence sites extremely seriously.”
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