Police say they have arrested several men on suspicion of explosives-related offenses and bomb disposal experts are examining the vehicles.
Published on September 27, 2026
Police evacuated homes near an air base in the UK used by the US military and arrested several men on suspicion of explosives-related offences.
“The army’s specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal team is currently examining a number of vehicles,” Gloucestershire Police said on Sunday, adding that “a major incident” had been declared.
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Residents of a number of properties in Whelford, southwest England, were taken to a nearby leisure center. Police said several men were arrested “on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act”.
The city is located near RAF Fairford, an air base that U.S. forces used for strikes during the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
A Reuters news agency journalist at the scene said armed police blocked access to the main entrance to the base, while equipment was placed outside entry points.
About 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, were stationed in the nearby town of Fairford.
Gloucestershire Police said in a statement that they wanted to “reassure people that we believe this incident is under control”.
There was no immediate information on what prompted the arrests, whether explosives were found or whether the alleged offenses were linked to the air base.
The U.S. Air Force said it was aware of reports of the incident but declined to discuss specific security measures.
A spokesperson said the 501st Combat Support Wing, a U.S. Air Force unit in Britain, and other U.S. units based in the United Kingdom remained vigilant and would take necessary steps to protect personnel and their families.
In March, three US B-1B Lancer bombers landed at RAF Fairford after what would be the first US strike mission against Iran launched from a British base, during the war against Iran.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a powerful military force that operates alongside the country’s regular armed forces, warned in July that bases used to launch attacks against Iran could be treated as legitimate targets.
Authorities have not linked Sunday’s arrests to Iran or said RAF Fairford was a target.
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