Police declare major incident as Whelford properties near RAF Fairford are evacuated

Police declared a major incident in Whelford near RAF Fairford; several properties were being evacuated. Police said several men were arrested on suspicion of explosives-related offenses and described the incident as contained. Army explosive experts were examining vehicles.

Whelford is roughly two miles from RAF Fairford, a base used by U.S. bombers for strikes on Iran. The U.K. authorized U.S. use of the base for “defensive” strikes in early March; bombers used there have included B-1s and B-52s.