Several Arrested In Explosives Probe Near US Air Base In UK
British police declared a major incident Sunday near RAF Fairford, an air base used by U.S. forces, after arresting several men on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act.
Several properties in the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated on Sunday as police and emergency services responded to the incident, while the British Army deployed a specialist explosive ordnance disposal team to examine a number of vehicles.
Gloucestershire Police said the arrests were made in the morning and that a cordon had been established around the affected area.
“A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident,” the force said.
“It follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.”
Police said the Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team was examining several vehicles as part of the operation.
Residents who were evacuated were taken to a leisure centre in nearby Cirencester, while a large emergency response was mounted in the area.
A Reuters witness reported seeing armed police blocking access to the main gate of RAF Fairford, with about 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, stationed around the village.
Police said they believed the situation was contained and that they were working with other emergency services under established emergency response procedures.
The incident has drawn particular attention because RAF Fairford hosts United States Air Force personnel and has been used by the US military during the conflict involving Iran.
The British government previously authorised the United States to use RAF Fairford for strikes against Iranian missile sites attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) had previously warned that countries allowing their territory to be used for attacks against Iran could become legitimate targets.
However, British authorities have not said that Sunday’s arrests are connected to the US military presence at RAF Fairford or to Iran.
Counter-terrorism police are understood to be leading the investigation, although authorities have not publicly disclosed the identities of those arrested or the specific circumstances surrounding the suspected explosives offences.
The United States Air Force declined to discuss specific force-protection measures at the base but said its personnel remained vigilant.
“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,” a US Air Force spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that the US military continually assesses security conditions and adjusts measures to protect its personnel and installations.
The investigation remains ongoing, with specialist teams continuing to examine the vehicles and police maintaining security around the affected area.
British police declared a major incident Sunday near RAF Fairford, an air base used by U.S. forces, after arresting several men on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act.
Several properties in the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated on Sunday as police and emergency services responded to the incident, while the British Army deployed a specialist explosive ordnance disposal team to examine a number of vehicles.
Gloucestershire Police said the arrests were made in the morning and that a cordon had been established around the affected area.
“A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident,” the force said.
“It follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.”
Police said the Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team was examining several vehicles as part of the operation.
Residents who were evacuated were taken to a leisure centre in nearby Cirencester, while a large emergency response was mounted in the area.
A Reuters witness reported seeing armed police blocking access to the main gate of RAF Fairford, with about 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, stationed around the village.
Police said they believed the situation was contained and that they were working with other emergency services under established emergency response procedures.
The incident has drawn particular attention because RAF Fairford hosts United States Air Force personnel and has been used by the US military during the conflict involving Iran.
The British government previously authorised the United States to use RAF Fairford for strikes against Iranian missile sites attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) had previously warned that countries allowing their territory to be used for attacks against Iran could become legitimate targets.
However, British authorities have not said that Sunday’s arrests are connected to the US military presence at RAF Fairford or to Iran.
Counter-terrorism police are understood to be leading the investigation, although authorities have not publicly disclosed the identities of those arrested or the specific circumstances surrounding the suspected explosives offences.
The United States Air Force declined to discuss specific force-protection measures at the base but said its personnel remained vigilant.
“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,” a US Air Force spokesperson said.
