Homes evacuated near British US-linked military base over suspected explosives : BBC

• Several men have been arrested on suspicion of explosives offences in Gloucestershire.
• Residents in Whelford were evacuated as specialist Army personnel examined vehicles
• The village is close to RAF Fairford, a major US-linked Royal Air Force base

Several men have been arrested Sunday on suspicion of explosives offences after a major incident prompted the evacuation of homes in a village near a Royal Air Force base in western England, British media reported on Sunday.

Police declared a major incident in Whelford, Gloucestershire, and said specialist Army personnel had been called in to examine several vehicles.

Residents in the village were evacuated to a nearby leisure centre as police dealt with the incident.

Whelford is located close to RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force station in Gloucestershire that is used for military operations and hosts US Air Force aircraft during deployments.

Police said the arrests were made under the Explosives Act but gave no further details about the nature of the suspected offences or the number of people detained.

The Army's specialist team is examining the vehicles as part of the investigation.

Authorities have not indicated that the incident is linked to any wider threat, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Further details are expected from police as the operation continues.

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