RAF Fairford alert: Several arrested, homes evacuated near US air base - key details

Police stand at a roadblock on the road to RAF Fairford after an incident, in Whelford, England (Picture credit: AP) A major incident was declared near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Sunday after several men were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, prompting the evacuation of homes in the nearby village of Whelford.Police said the situation had been contained, while an Army explosive ordnance disposal team examined several vehicles.Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation, according to the BBC, although authorities have not said whether the arrests are linked to the US air base.Here is what we know so far.What happened?Gloucestershire Police said several men were arrested early on Sunday on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.A number of properties in Whelford were evacuated and residents were taken to a nearby leisure centre in Cirencester while emergency services dealt with the incident.Police said a cordon had been established and that they believed the situation was contained.“We are working closely with our partners and are enacting the well-rehearsed plans we have in place,” Gloucestershire Police said, as reported by the B...