British police have declared a major incident near RAF Fairford airbase in south-west England, which is used by the US Air Force. Several men have been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. An evacuation is underway in the Whelford area, whilst an army bomb disposal unit is examining several vehicles.
Briefly about the main points
- Several men have been arrested on suspicion of offences relating to explosive substances.
- In Whelford, a number of premises near the airbase are being evacuated.
- Army bomb disposal experts are inspecting the vehicles.
- Armed police have blocked the main entrance to RAF Fairford.
Evacuation and an increased presence of the emergency services
Gloucestershire Police have reported that the evacuation has affected a number of premises in the Whelford area — a village near the base. A specialist army bomb disposal team is examining several vehicles.
A Reuters eyewitness saw armed police blocking access to the main gates of RAF Fairford. Around 30 emergency service vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, were stationed in the village of Fairford near the base.
In British policing practice, the designation of a ‘major incident’ entails the deployment of special emergency response procedures. It does not, in itself, determine the nature of the threat or the motives of those detained.
The base was mentioned in the authorisation for US strikes against Iran
The British Government has authorised the US to use RAF Fairford to carry out strikes against Iranian missile installations that are attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. In March, London described these actions as specific and limited defensive operations and emphasised that the authorisation did not imply Britain’s wider involvement in the war between the US, Israel and Iran.
In July, the United Kingdom stated its readiness to defend the country against any attack following a warning from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps regarding flights by American bombers from Fairford.
The US Air Force is not disclosing its security measures
A US Air Force spokesperson declined to comment on specific measures to protect the forces. According to him, the 501st Combat Support Wing and other US wings in the UK remain vigilant and will take appropriate action to ensure the safety of service personnel, civilian staff, contractors and their families.
The US military has stated that it is constantly assessing the factors that influence security measures at its facilities.
