Summary

  • A major incident has been declared near RAF Fairford

  • Several men have been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, Gloucestershire police say

  • Residents in a nearby village have been evacuated to a leisure centre while investigations continue

  • An army explosive ordnance disposal team is examining a number of vehicles

  • A cordon is currently in place in the area and officers say they believe the incident is contained

Emergency services attend scene near RAF Fairford

Live Reporting

Edited by Emma Grimshaw and Matt Spivey

  1. Analysis

    The context for this is troubling

    Frank Gardner
    Security correspondent

    For an official account of what has happened at RAF Fairford, we will need to wait for a police statement. But the context for this is troubling.

    It comes amid a rising number of incidents across Europe of what’s termed "hybrid warfare", allegedly being orchestrated by the Kremlin, or more specifically its GRU military intelligence, as punishment for those countries supporting Ukraine.

    These incidents include arson, cyber attacks, overflights by unidentified drones close to sensitive locations like nuclear bases and power stations and most recently the discovery of 3 explosive drones at Leipzig-Halle airport in Germany which serves as a cargo hub for resupplying Ukraine.

    Russia’s view is that Nato, and some countries in particular, like Britain, are already waging an indirect war with Moscow by supplying Ukraine with long-range munitions and that it is time for these countries to "feel some pain".

    At the same time, it’s worth bearing in mind that US warplanes have been using British bases as staging posts in the US war on Iran.

    Right now though, Iran is pushing for a peace deal, albeit on terms unacceptable to Donald Trump.

  2. Emergency service vehicles at scene in small village

    Leigh Boobyer
    Live page reporter

    Police say the Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team is currently examining a number of vehicles in the village of Whelford.

    A police car is pictured parked on a roadReuters

    Homes in the village of Whelford have been evacuated with residents taken to a nearby leisure centre

    An armed police officer is pictured by a road closed sign, and a police carReuters

    Police say 'several men' were arrested under the Explosives Act

    A police officer is pictured leaning on a police car, with various emergency services in the background parked on grass.Reuters

    Road blocks and armed police are in place in the Cotswolds village

    A police car is pictured parked on a road. In the background is a fire engine and crew membersReuters

    Emergency vehicles are in place throughout the village

  3. What is RAF Fairford used for?

    Leigh Boobyer
    Live page reporter

    Since it opened in January 1944, RAF Fairford has been used for various reasons.

    The United States Air Force (USAF) 501st Combat Support Wing manages and supports operations and the site is predominantly used by USAF heavy bombers like the B-1B Lancer, the B-2A Spirit and the B-52H Stratofortress.

    It also routinely supports Bomber Task Force operations.

    The base has been recently used to deploy American bombers since the country's conflict in Iran began on 28 February.

    Then, in March, after the 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 and the US began using British bases for "specific defensive operations".

    A large plane is pictured through the gaps of a fenceReuters

  4. Major incident declared near RAF base as several men arrested on explosives offences

    A major incident has been declared near RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, and several men arrested on suspicion of explosives offences, police say.

    Residents in Whelford, a nearby village, have been evacuated and taken to a leisure centre while investigations continue.

    A cordon is currently in place in the area and officers say they believe the incident is contained