Britain: Tightening security measures after announcement of major security incident at air base used by US forces

British Gloucestershire Police stated, “Several properties in the Wilford area are currently being evacuated following reports of a major incident. This comes after several men were arrested on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act.”

The police added in a statement, “A specialist Army bomb disposal team is currently examining several vehicles.”

Earlier, police announced they had arrested several men on suspicion of violating the Explosives Act, after security measures were tightened at a British airbase used by the US Air Force in southwest England, Sky News reported. A Reuters witness said armed police closed the road leading to the base’s main gate. Around 30 emergency vehicles, including police, ambulance, and fire engines, were deployed in the village of Wilford near the base.

A spokesperson for the US Air Force said that specific measures related to force protection would not be discussed. He clarified, “Wing 501, the Combat Support Wing, and other units of ours stationed in the United Kingdom remain on heightened alert and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families.”