UK police declare emergency near joint British-US air base, evacuate homes

British police have declared an emergency in the village of Welford, near RAF Fairford, which hosts US Air Force personnel, and have evacuated residents from several homes in the area.

Police said a specialist British Army bomb disposal team is currently inspecting a number of vehicles, and a security cordon has been set up around the site.

According to Al Arabiya, police confirmed the situation is under control, though large numbers of emergency teams, including a hazardous area response unit, have been deployed. Evacuated residents have been moved to a nearby leisure center, while authorities continue their investigation.

Gloucestershire Police said several properties in the Welford area are being evacuated following the declaration of a 'major incident,' noting that this comes after several men were arrested on suspicion of offenses under explosives legislation.

RAF Fairford has been used to deploy US bombers since the outbreak of the conflict on February 28.