UK Police Evacuate Area Near US Air Base, Make Arrests After Incident

Police in the area of Whelford in southwest England have evacuated several properties and made a number of arrests after declaring “a major incident” on Sunday.

Several men were detained on suspicion of offences under the explosives act, and the Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are examining several vehicles, police in Gloucestershire said in a statement. Local residents are being evacuated to a nearby leisure center and the area has been cordoned off, they said, adding that they believe the incident is “contained.”

Gloucestershire is home to RAF Fairford, which serves as the preferred bomber forward operating location in Europe for the US Air Force Global Strike Command. RAF Welford nearby is the second-largest conventional munitions storage area in Europe and primarily serves to support the Fairford operations, according to its website.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham in July approved the use of the base by the US for defensive strikes against Iran, continuing a policy by his predecessor Keir Starmer.

Read More: Burnham Approves Use of UK Bases for Some US Strikes on Iran