Major incident near RAF Fairford: Several arrested, properties evacuated

Police said a number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident.

"The Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles," police said in a statement.

Police said the evacuated people were shifted to a nearby leisure centre.

The location of the incident is close to RAF Fairford, a base that American forces have used for strictly limited strikes during the war with Iran.

The area is typically quiet, but about 170,000 people descend on the RAF site every July for the Royal International Air Tattoo, the largest military show in the world, reported BBC.

A spokesperson for the US Air Force told the British media that its personnel based at RAF Fairford "remain 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," 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," the spokesperson said.

South Cotswolds MP Roz Savage described the incident as 'worrying'.

She wrote on X: "These are worrying scenes just outside the RAF Fairford base.

"I have contacted the police for further updates and I’ve been told that it is believed the incident is contained. I would like to thank them for the work they are currently doing," she said.

UK Secretary of Defence  Wes Streeting thanked the emergency team for tackling the situation and wrote on X: "We can be reassured that this is being dealt with, and it is exactly why our emergency response teams and Armed Forces are on standby 24/7."