BREAKING: Village evacuated amid major incident at RAF Fairford

LATEST UPDATE: Police ‘checking cars for bombs’ at RAF Fairford as arrests made

A major emergency is unfolding at RAF Fairford this morning (Sunday), with residents evacuated from their homes and armed police deployed around the US airbase.

Police officers have been seen going door-to-door evacuating homes in the village of Whelford. A female police officer, speaking to the press at the scene, said it was a “major incident” and the area was being evacuated.

The major operation comes shortly after FPCON DELTA was reportedly activated. It’s the highest force protection condition indicates that a terrorist attack has occurred or is believed to be imminent.

Recently heavy machinery has also been positioned across unmanned entrances to the RAF Fairford base.

Roads surrounding have been closed, with armed Ministry of Defence Police and Gloucestershire Police officers stationed outside the perimeter.

Around six ambulances, including four Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) vehicles, have gathered at a rendezvous point nearby.

Three fire engines and numerous fire support vehicles – including a command unit – are also at the location.

The incident is believed to have started at around 1am.

A National Police Air Service helicopter was seen tightly circling RAF Fairford for around one hour during the early stages of the operation.

One local resident has told Wiltshire 999s that bomb disposal specialists are also at the scene, although this has not yet been officially confirmed.

There has since been a significant multi-agency emergency services presence in the area.

Personnel from the Ministry of Defence Police, Gloucestershire Police, Wiltshire Police and Thames Valley Police have all been seen in the vicinity of the base.

The exact nature of the incident remains unclear at this stage, and authorities have not yet publicly confirmed what prompted the evacuation.