Authorities are about to give an update on a major incident near RAF Fairford - watch live footage from the scene above
Counter-terror police are leading the investigation after several men were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act
Residents in the village of Whelford, near the base, have been evacuated - what we know so far
"It all happened very quickly. We just packed our stuff up and came here," says one of the evacuated residents
Helicopter footage shows robots approaching vans at the scene as a British Army bomb disposal team is carrying out operations
RAF Fairford has long been used as a forward operating location by the US military. The country's Air Force say they "remain vigilant" following the incident
The context for this is troubling and comes amid a rising number of incidents across Europe of what's termed "hybrid warfare", Frank Gardner writes
The police news conference on the RAF Fairfield incident, which was due to start at 12:45 BST, has evidently been delayed.
Our reporters are waiting for a spokesperson for either Gloucestershire or counter-terror police to arrive. We will update you when we hear more.
Jonathan Beale
Defence correspondent
A British Army bomb disposal team – known as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team – is still carrying out operations, according to a defence source.
Pictures from a news helicopter show a remote controlled robotic system being used to inspect a number of stationary white vans in the area.
A defence source said UK Military Police were also supporting their civilian counterparts in providing a security cordon around the area.
Leigh Boobyer
Live page reporter
While we wait for police to give an update on the major incident - here are how things look on the ground.
Image source, PA MediaArmed police are placed on roads around RAF Fairford while investigations continue
Image source, ReutersSome residents in the village have been evacuated to a leisure centre and have not been told when they can leave
Image source, ReutersEmergency services have been positioned in and around the village since the early hours
Image source, PA MediaCounter terrorism police are leading the investigation
Image source, PA MediaGloucestershire Police say several men had been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.
Police cordon expands to RAF Fairford amid major incident
While we wait for police to give us their update, the cordon, which has been in place since the early hours of this morning, has been expanded to include RAF Fairford.
Our reporter Alastair McKee says everyone has been moved out of the vicinity of the air base and into the village further down the road.
We're expecting to hear an update from authorities shortly.
You'll be able to watch live at the top of the stream when the conference gets under way.
We'll bring you all the key news lines here, too.
Image source, ReutersThere are multiple emergency service vehicles in the Gloucestershire village
A Whelford resident has described the moment he saw police apprehend the suspects.
Jeff told the BBC that he heard "shouting outside his front door", although he couldn't be sure where it came from.
He says he then looked out of his window and saw "people being held by police outside".
The moment was "a bit surreal", he says, but adds that "you get used to funny things going on sometimes around the base [RAF Fairford]".
Helicopter footage taken near RAF Fairford has shown a wheeled robot operating near three parked white vans.
Earlier, Gloucestershire police said the Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team is examining a number of vehicles in the village of Whelford.
The force has not confirmed which vehicles were being examined, or mentioned the use of a robot.
A resident evacuated from his home near RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday says three "unusual vans" appeared in the area overnight.
Julian Tudsbery claims footage recorded by doorbell cameras in the area since the evacuations has shown "some robots looking in the back of these vans".
He says: "There were these three vans that arrived in the middle of the village and a resident reported them to the police straight away."
Police have not made any mention of vans or the use of robots.
Annabelle Martin
Reporter
Jason, an evacuated resident who has been at the leisure centre since about 7am, told the BBC that he was first made aware of the incident after seeing "some messages on the village group" last night.
Jason says he heard the helicopter but went to bed as normal before being woken by police officers.
"It all happened very quickly. We just packed our stuff up and came here."
He says the police described the situation as a "major incident" and had given residents "basic updates".
Jason says he had to bring his ill cat with him, that was supposed to be heading to the vets today.
He says: "It's been a bit full on. A bit eventful."
We're now seeing live aerial pictures from near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire where there is a heavy police presence following the arrest of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.
You can watch live at the top of the page.
Image source, Getty ImagesHome Secretary Shabana Mahmood says emergency crews responding to the incident near RAF Fairfod believe it is now "contained".
"I would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response to the major incident in Gloucestershire this morning and their reassurance that they believe the incident is contained," she writes on X.
"Whilst investigations are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further."
Sammy Jenkins
BBC News, Live page reporter
Image source, REUTERS/Toby ShepheardLocated on the border of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, RAF Fairford has long been used as a forward operating location by the US Air Force (USAF).
Its history with the US Air Force goes back decades, with the site occupied by USAF Strategic Air Command during the Cold War and later the first Gulf War in 1991.
B-52 bombers were also deployed by USAF from the site on raids to Iraq in 2003.
It was most recently used on 1 March though after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted permission for "defensive" US action against Iranian missile sites from the base.
US heavy bombers soon started taking off from RAF Fairford in what the Ministry of Defence (MOD) described as "defensive missions to destroy Iran's missile capabilities".
The move came after after the US and Israel began attacking Iran on Saturday 28 February.
Chris Partridge
BBC News weapons analyst
Image source, Getty ImagesRAF Fairford saw large amounts of activity earlier this year as US Air Force heavy bombers departed to strike targets in Iran.
I saw B-52 bombers from the Cold War era departing from the airbase loaded up with AGM-158 air launched cruise missiles for stand-off precision attacks.
These weapons have a range of some 500 miles, giving US military planners the ability to strike high-value, protected targets at distance.
In additional I also saw newer B-1b bombers loaded up with GBU-31(v) 3/b JDAM free-fall precision guided bombs - these types the penetrating "bunker busting" variety. The bombs would likely have been selectively used against hardened targets or underground weapons' stores.
Each bombing mission, depending on the location of the target, would likely have taken about 12 to 15 hours in total there and back, with air-to-air refuelling both ways.
The bombers would also have been supported by fighter jets closer to the theatre - such as F/A-18 Super Hornets and F-16 Vipers.
These jets would carry out Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD/DEAD) roles to guard against surface to air missile threats and radar-guided anti-aircraft fire from the ground.
Leigh Boobyer
Live page reporter
Gloucestershire Police has confirmed a statement will be read to the media at 12:45 BST in relation to the major incident.
It will be delivered by a senior officer who will not be answering questions after the briefing.
Image source, Getty ImagesRAF Lakenheath is home to the US Air Forces' 48th Fighter Wing
The US Department of Defence has raised the threat level at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk - which hosts the US Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing - following the incident near RAF Fairford.
RAF Lakenheath confirmed that the base is on Charlie alert, the second-highest threat level that can be issued by the US DoD.
It follows reports that RAF Fairford has been raised to the highest threat level, Delta
The US government says threat level Charlie applies when "an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action targeting personnel or facilities is likely”.
While it says Delta applies "in the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence has been received that terrorist action against a specific location or person is imminent".
Nick Johnson
BBC News
Image source, PA MediaI spent a number of days around RAF Fairford as US bombers and military equipment arrived at the beginning of March, following US strikes on Iran.
Impressive military machinery was taking off and landing with frequency - providing an accessible spectacle for aviation enthusiasts.
I was struck by how close the public could get to the large perimeter fence - just beyond which the US Air Force's B-1 bombers were positioned.
While police officers made occasional security checks and ensured parked cars were not blocking roads or homes, there were many hundreds of people who were easily able to gather at the perimeter fences.
We do not yet know the nature of this incident but it may prompt a rethink regarding how close cars and people are able to get to the airfield itself.
Jack Grey
Live reporter
Image source, PA MediaArrests have been made and a major incident declared following an incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
Here's what we know:
What we don't yet know:
Sammy Jenkins
BBC News, Live page reporter
The Royal Air Force Station is located in the Cotswolds about four miles (6.4km) south of the town of Fairford, which sits along the River Coln.
The area is typically quiet but about 170,000 people descend on the RAF site every July for the Royal International Air Tattoo, the largest military show in the world.
The event was cancelled this year due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Annabelle Martin
Reporter
I'm at the the leisure centre where residents have been placed after being ordered to leave their homes during the middle of the night.
Families are gathered in a café area, anxiously checking their phones and asking for updates. About 30 people are here, including children and elderly people, with some still in their pyjamas.
Leigh Boobyer
Live page reporter
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is receiving updates on the incident near RAF Fairford.
A government spokesperson said: “We are grateful to the emergency services, who have acted quickly to detain several suspects and put measures in place to keep the community safe.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing.”
