Police have declared a major incident after several men were arrested under the Explosives Act and residents were evacuated from homes near RAF Fairford.
Gloucestershire Police said armed officers were manning a cordon near the village of Whelford in the county, where emergency services and specialist teams were deployed to respond to the situation.
Armed Police Cordoned Off Whelford Area
A large presence of emergency services was seen in the area, including a Hazardous Area Response Team.
Police said a number of properties were being evacuated around Whelford following the declaration of the major incident. Residents are being taken to a nearby leisure centre.
Officers have established a cordon, and police said they believe the incident is contained while partners work on the response.
Arrests Under Explosives Act
Police said the evacuation followed the arrest of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.
Gloucestershire Police added that the Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team was examining a number of vehicles. Armed officers were deployed as the cordon was put in place near the village.
The force said it was working closely with partner agencies and implementing well-rehearsed plans.
The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.
RAF Fairford And Previous US Operations
RAF Fairford, near which the evacuation is taking place, is used by the United States Air Force.
In March this year, after then prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted permission for “defensive” US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases, four American bombers landed at RAF Fairford. The US then began using British bases for “specific defensive operations”.
The airbase also hosts the annual Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT). This year’s event in May was cancelled due to the military operations.
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27 September 2026
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