British police have arrested five men on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act after an incident near RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force base used by the US military in southwestern England. Homes in the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated as bomb disposal experts examined several vehicles, NBC News reported.
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Counter Terrorism Policing is leading the investigation after Gloucestershire Police received a report early Sunday about three suspicious vehicles travelling towards the air base.
The five men were initially arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and were later arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Police said the men remain in custody as investigators work to establish the circumstances of the incident. Authorities have not said what the suspects allegedly planned to do or whether the incident was directly linked to RAF Fairford.
A major incident was declared in the area, with around 85 homes evacuated and a cordon established in Whelford. An Army specialist explosive ordnance disposal team was deployed to examine the vehicles, while residents were moved to a nearby leisure centre.
Footage cited by NBC News showed several white vans near the base, with a bomb disposal robot appearing to inspect the vehicles. The counterterrorism police had taken over the investigation and that bomb disposal experts were examining the vehicles, Reuters reported.
US forces have used RAF Fairford during the conflict with Iran. The UK government had previously authorised the US military to use British bases for limited defensive operations against Iran.
The US Air Force has said it remains vigilant but declined to discuss specific security measures at the base.
The latest incident comes after security measures around RAF Fairford were reportedly increased in recent days. However, police have not publicly confirmed whether those measures or the arrests were connected.
The investigation remains ongoing, with the five men still in custody.
