‘Police were banging on the door’: villagers near RAF Fairford describe evacuation

Local people say members of WhatsApp group noticed suspicious activity around vans in Whelford overnight

Those living near RAF Fairford have been used to disturbance from protesters and a heavy police presence after the decision to allow the US air force to use it as a base for attacks on Iran.

But in recent weeks, people have noticed dramatically increased security measures, with the gates of the base newly barricaded.