Several people have been arrested on suspicion of explosives offences near an air base in western England that is frequently used by US forces.
Gloucestershire Police declared a major incident on Sunday and evacuated residents from several properties in the Whelford area.
Whelford is close to RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force base used by US military personnel and aircraft. The base has also served as a forward operating location for US Global Strike Command.
Police said specialist Army explosive ordnance disposal teams were examining several vehicles as part of the investigation.
“The Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles. The local residents are being evacuated to a nearby leisure centre,” police said.
A cordon has been established around the area, while authorities said the incident was believed to be contained.
Images from the scene showed a large emergency services presence, while an eyewitness told Reuters that armed police were restricting access to the main entrance of the base.
The US Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing, based at Fairford, said it remained alert and would take appropriate measures to protect US personnel, civilians, contractors and their families.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions linked to US military operations against Iran.
RAF Fairford has been used by US B-1 bombers and is a forward operating location for long-range strike operations.
In March, the UK government authorised the US Air Force to use the base for strikes against Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK government later said its armed forces were prepared to respond to any attack after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned against allowing US bombers to operate from British bases.
“Our Armed Forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself,” a government spokesperson said.
