Several men have been arrested in Gloucestershire as police investigate suspected offences under the Explosives Act and specialist teams examine vehicles.
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| Major incident declared near RAF Fairford after explosives-related arrests. |
A major incident has been declared near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after several men were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, prompting the evacuation of properties in the nearby Whelford area.
Gloucestershire Police said residents from a number of properties in Whelford were moved to a local leisure centre while emergency services responded to the incident. A cordon has been established around the affected area, with police saying they believe the situation is contained.
The British Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team has been deployed to examine a number of vehicles as part of the ongoing investigation. A large emergency services presence, including armed police and a Hazardous Area Response Team, has also been reported in the area.
RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force station in Gloucestershire that is also used by United States Air Force personnel. The security operation has led to heightened measures around the base, although authorities have not said that the arrests are connected to the military installation.
Reports indicate that counter-terrorism officers are involved in the wider investigation. However, there has been no official confirmation that the incident is being treated as a terrorism case, and authorities have not publicly identified the men arrested or disclosed the nature of the suspected explosives offences.
Police have urged residents to follow instructions from emergency services while investigations continue. The circumstances surrounding the arrests and the vehicles being examined remain under investigation.