UK Police Arrest Several Men Near US-Used RAF Fairford in Explosives Probe

British police arrested several men on suspicion of explosives offences and called in Army bomb disposal experts to examine a number of vehicles near RAF Fairford, a base used by the United States in southwest England, authorities said on Sunday.

Gloucestershire police declared a major incident and evacuated residents from the Whelford area, a village close to the air base. Those displaced were moved to a leisure centre, while around 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, were stationed in the nearby village of Fairford.

Armed police blocked access to the base's main gate, and equipment was positioned in front of entry points, according to an eyewitness account from the scene.

"A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident. It follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act," the police statement said. "The Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles."

Police said they believed the situation was now contained.

The base has drawn attention in recent months after Britain authorised the US to use RAF Fairford for strikes on Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned in July that any base used in such strikes would be considered a legitimate target.

Britain said at the time its armed forces were ready to protect the country from any attack after the Revolutionary Guards cautioned the UK against allowing US bombers to fly from Fairford.

A spokesperson for the US Air Force declined to discuss specific force protection measures. "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," the spokesperson said. "We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families."

Separately, British ministers have briefed operators of critical infrastructure on the threat posed by Russia, with the government increasingly concerned about possible sabotage operations and cyberattacks. Russia denies mounting hybrid attacks on Western nations.