FAIRFORD, England — Counter-terrorism police took over an investigation Sunday after several men were arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, with the Army’s specialist bomb disposal team examining vehicles and residents of a nearby village evacuated to a leisure centre.
Gloucestershire Police declared a major incident in the early hours of Sunday near the village of Whelford, close to the Gloucestershire base used by the U.S. Air Force. Police said a cordon was in place and that they believed the incident was contained, adding that the police operation had not been intelligence-led.
Police confirmed that bomb-disposal specialists were examining several vehicles. Authorities had not disclosed what, if anything, had been found inside them, and had not confirmed that the arrests or investigation were connected to RAF Fairford. A large emergency-services presence, including a Hazardous Area Response Team, remained in the area Sunday morning.
RAF Fairford is the U.S. Air Force’s key heavy-bomber hub in Europe, home to the 501st Combat Support Wing headquarters, and has hosted B-52 and B-1 aircraft involved in U.S. strikes on Iranian missile sites during the Iran conflict. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned Britain in July not to allow American bombers to fly from the base.
U.K. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said people could be “reassured that this incident is being dealt with,” while officials said the British prime minister was receiving updates. The U.S. Air Force said its 501st Combat Support Wing “remains vigilant” and would take appropriate action to ensure the safety of service members, civilians, contractors and their families.