Evacuated Fairford residents 'keen to return home'

People living near an RAF base who were evacuated from their homes due to a major police incident have said they are "shaken" and "keen to return".

Five men were arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences after a major incident was declared at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Sunday. They have since been released on bail.

More than 80 households in the nearby Cotswold village of Whelford were evacuated on Sunday morning and the BBC understands some are now returning home.

One local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "Although community spirit and local support has been exceptional, we have been unable to obtain updates as to what is occurring at the scene".

"It has been eerily quiet for such a serious incident," he added.

"They have been shaken by the incident and are keen to return to their home as soon as possible, as, no doubt, are all the other residents in a similar position, many of whom have been forced to leave pets, medication, clothes and other basics," he said.

"There are also farm animals and livestock in the area who need daily care and are currently unattended. It is urgent that farmers in particular are allowed back to their properties asap."

Local resident Kirsty Payne said there had been an "influx" of activity near the base since the beginning of the Iran war.

The airfield has been used by US warplanes as a staging post for strikes on Iran.

Payne also said she encountered a suspicious individual early on Friday morning near one of the runways, who she then reported to the police.

"We've realised that we might be a bit of a target now with the American activity here," she said.

"We've lived here a long time and we've never seen anything like this."

Displaced residents were directed to Cirencester Leisure Centre for support from Cotswold District Council.

"We've supported a number of people overnight and provided them with hotel accommodation," councillor Claire Locke said.

"Today we are making sure that we have contingency plans in place and that people can access a hotel room for tonight if needed."

Locke also said they had been supporting residents by helping them access essential medication that had been left at home, as well as supporting pets that had been brought with them.

In a statement, head of national counter terrorism policing Laurence Taylor said they were hoping to reduce the police cordon and get residents home later today.

He said: "I know, for the people who call this area, and RAF Fairford, home, this has been a hugely disruptive incident.

"Thank you for your support and patience".

Speaking at the Labour Party conference, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also confirmed residents would be able to return home soon.

"Thanks to the excellent work of the Army's explosive ordnance disposal team, the scene is now safe and the residents of Whelford will shortly be returning home," she said.

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