UK police declare major incident at air base used by US
Several men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences, UK police say, after a security scare at a British air base that has been used by the US Air Forces in south-west England since the start of the Iranian war at the end of February.
About 30 emergency vehicles attended a "major incident" near RAF Fairford. ( Reuters: Toby Shepheard )
UK police arrest several men at a RAF base on suspicion of offences under Britain's Explosives Act, police say.
Since the start of the Iranian war, the US military has used the base to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites.
A major incident was declared with homes evacuated and residents moved to a nearby leisure centre.
Several men have been arrested on suspicion of explosives offences after a security scare at a British air base used by the US Air Force in south-west England.
A major incident was declared and homes were evacuated in a village near an RAF Fairford, with residents moved to a nearby leisure centre on Sunday.
It comes after the British government gave authorisation to the US to use RAF Fairford to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
An eyewitness said armed police were blocking access to the main gate of the base.
A B‑1B Lancer bomber at Fairford air base, from where the US has targeted Iranian locations. ( Reuters: Toby Shepheard )
About 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, were stationed in the village of Fairford.
"A number of properties are currently being evacuated following the declaration of a major incident," Gloucestershire police said in a statement.
Police said the men were taken into custody on Sunday morning.
The area has been blocked off to traffic and residents have been evacuated. ( Reuters: Toby Shepheard )
The base has been used to deploy US bombers since the conflict in Iran began on February 28.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, while threatening the possibility of further bombing.