Men held under Explosives Act as major incident declared

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 placed in a leisure centre while investigations continue.

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

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