Several men have been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act after the declaration of a major incident at RAF Fairford.
The bomb squad was sent to the village of Whelford after increased security measures, including fortifying of entrances to the base, were put in place. Roadblocks and armed police have also been seen in the area over the weekend.
Homes were evacuated and the army was also inspecting a number of vehicles as security was stepped up at the Gloucestershire airbase, which is used by US forces. Evacuated residents were being taken to a nearby leisure centre.
The base has been at the centre of protests in recent months over the British government’s decision to allow the US to use it to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards told Britain in July not to allow US bombers to fly from the base. At the time, a government spokesperson said: “Our armed forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself.”
Gloucestershire police said: “A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident.
“It follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.
“We are working closely with our partners and are enacting the well-rehearsed plans we have in place.”
A police spokesperson added that the situation was contained and said local people need not be alarmed.
Armed police have been seen blocking access to the main gate of the base, and many emergency vehicles including police cars, ambulances and fire engines were visible on Sunday morning in Fairford, the village near the base.
A spokesperson for the US air force said they would not discuss specific force protection measures.
“The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors and their families,” the spokesperson said.
“We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families.”
South Cotswolds Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage described the situation as “worrying” but said it is believed to be “contained”. She added: “I have contacted the police for further updates and I’ve been told that it is believed the incident is contained. I would like to thank them for the work they are currently doing.”
In May the Royal International Air Tattoo, which is usually held at the base, was cancelled due to the escalating geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
The Guardian wp:paragraph
هلدینگ کاسپین استانبول | خرید ملک در ترکیه | صرافی معتبر ایرانی در ترکیه | خرید و فروش طلا در ترکیه | مهاجرت به ترکیه | واردات و صادرات در ترکیه | نیازمندیهای ترکیه | اخبار ترکیه | اخبار جهانی | توریست ایران | خدمات توریستی در ایران | تورهای گردشگری ایران | هلدینگ اول | خدمات کاریابی و فریلنسری و شغل | مرجع اطلاعات ایران (همه چیز در ایران) | کیف پول و خدمات مالی و پرداخت یار | اخبار ایران | تابلو زنده قیمت ارز در ترکیه و استانبول | صرافی آنلاین ترکیه | قیمت طلا و نقره در ترکیه | سرمایه گذاری در ترکیه | جواهرات در ترکیه | نرخ لحظه ای ارزها در استانبول | قیمت دلار امروز در ترکیه | قیمت دلار استانبول امروز | قیمت لحظه ای دلار | اخبار روز ترکیه استانبول | اپلیکیشن ISTEX | اپلیکیشن قیمت لحظه ای دلار و یورو و لیر و ارزها در ترکیه
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph
About the Author
