A major incident has been declared near RAF Fairford and several men have been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, Gloucestershire police say
Residents in a nearby village have been evacuated to a leisure centre while investigations continue - officers say they believe the incident is contained
A spokesperson for the US Air Force - who have used the military base to deploy American bombers during the ongoing conflict with Iran - says its personnel "remain vigilant"
The context for this is troubling and comes amid a rising number of incidents across Europe of what's termed "hybrid warfare", writes our security correspondent
Alastair McKee
Reporting from the scene
I'm at the scene near RAF Fairford, where cyclists and drivers are being turned around by police near the cordon.
The cordon is a substantial way out of the village, beyond the sight of homes.
I'm stood by the RAF base, and I can see through the fence the B-11 bombers used by the USAF.
Police are in full counter-terrorism gear and armed.
Frank Gardner
Security correspondent
Whitehall officials say the investigation into the incident at RAF Fairford is being led by counter-terror police. The BBC understands that it was not intelligence-led.
Image source, PA MediaDefence Secretary Wes Streeting has thanked emergency crews for their "swift" response to the incident near RAF Fairford.
"We can be reassured that this is being dealt with and it is exactly why our emergency response teams and Armed Forces are on standby 24/7," he writes on X.
Leigh Boobyer
Live page reporter
Speaking to the BBC, Cotswold district councillor Tristan Wilkinson urged people to "remain calm".
"It's new so we need to keep speculation to a bare minimum.
"All I ask is people stay away from the area. This is a serious incident," he added.
Image source, ReutersArmed police are at the scene
Describing the scenes near RAF Fairford as "worrying", South Cotswolds MP Roz Savage said on X: “I have contacted the police for further updates and I’ve been told that it is believed the incident is contained.
“I would like to thank them for the work they are currently doing."
A spokesperson for the US Air Force said its personnel based at RAF Fairford "remain vigilant".
They added that while they were aware of the current situation at Fairford, they would not discuss specific force protection measures.
"The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families," the spokesperson said.
"We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families."
Britain said in July its armed forces were ready to protect the country from any attack after Iran's Revolutionary Guards issued a warning not to allow US bombers to fly from Fairford.
The Fairford site has been used since February to launch operations against Iran during the Middle East conflict.
Residents in the village of Whelford have been evacuated and taken to a leisure centre while investigations continue.
Frank Gardner
Security correspondent
For an official account of what has happened at RAF Fairford, we will need to wait for a police statement. But the context for this is troubling.
It comes amid a rising number of incidents across Europe of what’s termed "hybrid warfare", allegedly being orchestrated by the Kremlin, or more specifically its GRU military intelligence, as punishment for those countries supporting Ukraine.
These incidents include arson, cyber attacks, overflights by unidentified drones close to sensitive locations like nuclear bases and power stations and most recently the discovery of 3 explosive drones at Leipzig-Halle airport in Germany which serves as a cargo hub for resupplying Ukraine.
Russia’s view is that Nato, and some countries in particular, like Britain, are already waging an indirect war with Moscow by supplying Ukraine with long-range munitions and that it is time for these countries to "feel some pain".
At the same time, it’s worth bearing in mind that US warplanes have been using British bases as staging posts in the US war on Iran.
Right now though, Iran is pushing for a peace deal, albeit on terms unacceptable to Donald Trump.
Leigh Boobyer
Live page reporter
Police say the Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team is currently examining a number of vehicles in the village of Whelford.
Image source, ReutersHomes in the village of Whelford have been evacuated with residents taken to a nearby leisure centre
Image source, ReutersPolice say 'several men' were arrested under the Explosives Act
Image source, ReutersRoad blocks and armed police are in place in the Cotswolds village
Image source, ReutersEmergency vehicles are in place throughout the village
Leigh Boobyer
Live page reporter
Since it opened in January 1944, RAF Fairford has been used for various reasons.
The United States Air Force (USAF) 501st Combat Support Wing manages and supports operations and the site is predominantly used by USAF heavy bombers like the B-1B Lancer, the B-2A Spirit and the B-52H Stratofortress.
It also routinely supports Bomber Task Force operations.
The base has been recently used to deploy American bombers since the country's conflict in Iran began on 28 February.
Then, in March, after the then prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, granted permission for "defensive" US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases, four American bombers landed at RAF Fairford and the US began using British bases for "specific defensive operations".
Image source, ReutersA major incident has been declared near RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, and several men arrested on suspicion of explosives offences, police say.
Residents in Whelford, a nearby village, have been evacuated and taken to a leisure centre while investigations continue.
A cordon is currently in place in the area and officers say they believe the incident is contained
