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UK police call in bomb disposal team near air force base / Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS - AFP
UK police call in bomb disposal team near air force base
British police Sunday declared a major incident and evacuated villagers living near a base used by the US air force after arresting several men on suspicion of explosives offences.
Army bomb disposal experts were "currently examining a number of vehicles", police in the southwestern county of Gloucestershire said in a statement.
A cordon was in place and officers believed the incident near the Royal Air Force's Fairford base had been "contained".
In March, then prime minister Keir Starmer granted permission for "defensive" US action against Iranian missile sites from two UK bases including Fairford.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being kept updated on the incident, a government spokesperson said.
"We are grateful to the emergency services, who have acted quickly to detain several suspects and put measures in place to keep the community safe," the spokesperson said.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing."
Defence Minister Wes Streeting thanked "emergency and specialist teams" deployed to the scene.
"We can be reassured that this is being dealt with," he said on X.
Media reported a large emergency services presence in the area including a Hazardous Area Response Team.
"A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident," Gloucestershire Police said.
Several men had been arrested "on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act", the force added.
Residents from the nearby village of Whelford had been evacuated to a nearby lesiure centre, the BBC said.
The village of Whelford is located adjacent to the Royal Air Force Fairford base which is also used by the United States Air Force.
Fairford is the UK base of the 501st Combat Support Wing, a US air force administrative support wing.
Personnel there would "remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families" a statement said.
The MP for the area, Roz Savage, described the situation as "worrying".
"I have contacted the police for further updates and I’ve been told that it is believed the incident is contained," she said on X.
O.Bruneau--PS
