UK police arrest 5 men under terrorism, explosives acts close to US air base

LONDON -- British police announced on Sunday morning that five people were arrested "on suspicion of offenses under the explosives act" close to a major air base hosting U.S. forces in the southwest of England.

"A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident," Gloucestershire Police said in a statement. "It follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offenses under the explosives act."

The village of Whelford is located around 2 miles from RAF Fairford, which hosts the U.S. Air Force and has since February been serving as a key hub for American operations against Iran -- including for heavy bombers like the B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress.

"The Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles," the police statement said.

Local residents were evacuated to a nearby recreation center, with a cordon put in place. "We believe this incident is contained," police said. "We are working closely with our partners and are enacting the well-rehearsed plans we have in place."

During a press conference later on Sunday, Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said that police acted after receiving a call about three suspicious vehicles traveling toward the base at 12:45 a.m.

Officers arrested five men, who remain in custody, on suspicion of explosive offenses, Ocone said. Local police, he added, are working closely with counter-terror police on the investigation.

Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed that the five detained men were also arrested "on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act."

Police said that a 400m cordon was put in place around the suspect's vehicles while armed forces explosives experts examine them. Around 85 households were also evacuated as a "precaution," police said.

A British government spokesperson told ABC News that Prime Minister Andy Burnham "is being kept updated on the incident in Gloucestershire."

"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," they added. "It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing."

British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said in a post to X, "We can be reassured that this is being dealt with, and it is exactly why our emergency response teams and Armed Forces are on standby 24/7."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also posted to X thanking 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."

A spokesperson for the U.S. Air Force 501st Combat Support Wing, based at RAF Fairford, told ABC News that the unit "appreciates the swift response and continued support of our local law enforcement partners."

"The safety and security of our airmen, families, and surrounding communities remains our highest priority," the spokesperson added. "We remain in close coordination with our U.K. partners to help ensure the safety and security of both our military and local communities."

Amid reports that U.S. air bases in the U.K. had raised their threat levels, the 48th Fighter Wing -- an American unit based at RAF Lakenheath in eastern England -- told ABC News in a statement that it was "unable to discuss specific force protection measures" citing "operational security reasons."

"We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures are implemented or modified. Please be assured that the Tri-Base area (RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell) remains vigilant and will take appropriate action to ensure the safety and security of U.S. service members, U.S. and U.K. civilians, contractors, and their families," the statement said.

ABC News' Rashid Haddou-Riffi, Guy Davies, Lama Hasan, Kevin Shalvey and Jamie Dorrington contributed to this report.