Police declare ‘major incident’ near RAF base in UK as men arrested on suspected explosives offences

British police declared a "major incident" near an RAF base in the UK on Sunday, with local residents evacuated after "several men" were arrested on suspected explosives offences.

Arrest and charges

"A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident," Gloucestershire Police said in a statement, adding that an army specialist explosive ordnance disposal team was examining multiple vehicles.

"A cordon is currently in place but we'd like to reassure people that we believe this incident is contained.

We are working closely with our partners and are enacting the well-rehearsed plans we have in place," the force added.

Whelford is close to RAF Fairford, a military air base that hosts the United States Air Force.

According to the USAF, the base is home to the 501st Combat Support Wing Headquarters and the 420th Air Base Squadron while also serving as the "preferred bomber forward operating location in Europe for USAF Global Strike Command."