A major incident is declared and villagers have been evacuated from their homes in Whelford near RAF Fairford.

Homes are being evacuated

Published27 September 2026, 08:41 BST

A major incident has been declared and homes have been evacuated in a village near an RAF base which hosts the United States Air Force

Gloucestershire Police said residents in Whelford, near RAF Fairford, have been taken to a leisure centre while investigations continue

Several men have been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, police said

The Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team is currently examining a number of vehicles

Police said a cordon was currently in place in the area and added officers believed the incident was contained

A large emergency services presence was seen in the area, including a Hazardous Area Response Team

Gloucestershire Police said: "A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident