London — Margalla News: British police have arrested several men near RAF Fairford on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, while an army explosive ordnance disposal team is examining a number of vehicles.
Reuters reported that police declared a "major incident" and that several properties in the nearby Whelford area were being evacuated.
A Reuters witness said armed police were restricting access to the base's main gate, while multiple police, ambulance and fire-service vehicles were deployed nearby.
RAF Fairford is used by the United States Air Force, with Britain having authorised US use of the base.
The US Air Force declined to detail specific force-protection measures. Police have not said that a planned attack was underway, so no conclusion is being drawn about the intentions of those arrested or the final cause of the incident.