LONDON — British police evacuated and arrested several men on Sunday on suspicion of bombings near an air base used by the U.S. Air Force to facilitate attacks on Iran.
A major incident was declared following a large emergency services presence around RAF Fairford, an area about 90 minutes’ drive from London near the village of Welford in western England.
Gloucestershire Police said in a statement that “a number of houses are currently being evacuated” after arresting “several men on suspicion of breaching the Explosives Act”. It did not provide further details about the detainees or what they allegedly did.
“Army Specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams are currently inspecting a number of vehicles,” the statement continued, adding that the incident was “under control.” Police have not confirmed any connection between the incident and the base.
Helicopter footage from NBC News’ international partner Sky News showed multiple white vans near the base appearing to be searched by bomb disposal robots.
FAIRFORD, UK – SEPTEMBER 27: A police roadblock is set up in Fairford, UK on September 27, 2026. Police declared a major incident after evacuating residents from their home in Welford, a village about a mile from RAF Fairford, which is home to US Air Force bombers involved in the Iran conflict. Several men have been arrested on suspicion of breaching the Explosives Act and Army specialist explosive ordnance disposal teams are inspecting a number of vehicles in the area. (Photo by David Bowen/Getty Images)
Julian Tudsbery, who has lived in Welford for 30 years, told the UK Press Association that a resident reported three “suspicious vans” in the village in the early hours of Sunday. Tudsbury was evacuated along with other residents to a nearby recreation center.
Reuters reported that security measures at the air force base have been significantly strengthened in recent days. An Air Force spokesman told the agency they would not discuss specific force protection measures.
“The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow wings in the UK remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety of our American service members, civilians, contractors and their families,” a spokesman said ahead of the police statement.
“We continually evaluate factors as we determine what measures we take or modify to protect our facilities, our people and their families,” they added.
On September 27, 2026, police took pictures at the base set up by Fairford Youth Football Club near Royal Air Force Fairford Base in southwest England. Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images
The British government said Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being updated on the incident, adding that “it would be inappropriate to comment further while the investigation is ongoing”.
In March, Burnham’s predecessor Keir Starmer allowed the United States to use its bases for “concrete and limited defense” operations against Iran.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that in July, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned Britain that “any base used to invade Iranian territory is a legitimate target for us”, citing a bomber flight from Fairford.
At the time, a UK government spokesman said the country was “ready to protect the UK from any form of attack, whether on our soil or from abroad.”
Local MP Roz Savage thanked the police for their response to “the worrying scenes outside RAF Fairford”, while Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said in a post on
Reuters contributed.