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UK Police Evacuate Area Near US Air Base, Arrest Several After Major Incident
M
Moneycontrol•27-09-2026, 14:36
UK Police Evacuate Area Near US Air Base, Arrest Several After Major Incident
- •Police in Whelford, southwest England, declared a "major incident" and evacuated properties on Sunday.
- •Several men were arrested on suspicion of offenses under the explosives act.
- •The Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team is examining multiple vehicles.
- •The incident is believed to be "contained," with residents evacuated to a nearby leisure center.
- •The area is home to RAF Fairford, a key US Air Force operating location, and RAF Welford, a major munitions storage area.
Key Questions Answered
Police declared a major incident in Whelford after detaining several men on suspicion of offenses under the explosives act, prompting evacuations and the deployment of an explosive ordnance disposal team.
Gloucestershire is home to RAF Fairford, which serves as a preferred bomber forward operating location for the US Air Force, and RAF Welford, the second-largest conventional munitions storage area in Europe.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham approved the base's use for defensive strikes against Iran in July, following a policy established by his predecessor Keir Starmer.
