Men arrested and houses evacuated in major incident near RAF Fairford

A major incident has been declared and homes have been evacuated in a village near RAF Fairford, according to Gloucestershire Police. Residents of Whelford, a village close to the RAF base, have been taken to a leisure center while investigations continue. Several men have been arrested on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act, police reported.

The Army's specialized explosive ordnance disposal team is currently inspecting various vehicles in the area. Police have established a cordon around the location and are confident the incident is under control. A significant number of emergency services, including the Hazardous Area Response Team, are present in the vicinity. Gloucestershire Police stated, "A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident."

This incident comes after the arrest of several men on suspicion of Explosives Act offenses. The police are collaborating closely with their partners and are implementing the well-rehearsed plans that have been established. For more updates, follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or reach out via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630.