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U.K. police make several arrests under Explosives Act in 'major incident' near U.S. air base

British police announced on Sunday morning that several people were arrested on suspicion of offenses under the explosives act close to a major U.S. air base in the southwest of England. A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident, Gloucestershire Police said in a statement. It follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offenses under the explosives act. Toby Shepheard/Reuters - PHOTO: A police officer blocks a road near the RAF Fairford airbase, which hosts United States Air Force (USAF) personnel, in Fairford, U.K., on Sept. 27, 2026. The village of Whelford is located around 2 miles from RAF Fairford, which hosts the U.S. Air Force and has since February been serving as a key hub for American operations against Iran -- including for heavy bombers like the B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress. The Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles, the police statement said. Local residents were evacuated to a nearby recreation center, with a cordon put in place. We believe this incident is contained, police said. We are working closely with our partners and are enacting the well-rehearsed plans we have in place. Toby Shepheard/Reuters - PHOTO: A B-1 Lancer bomber is parked at the RAF Fairford airbase, which hosts United States Air Force (USAF) personnel, in Fairford, U.K., on Sept. 27, 2026. ABC News' Rashid Haddou-Riffi contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Good Morning America at https://abcnews.com/International/uk-police-arrest-explosives-act-major-incident-us/story?id=136793301