Five men have been arrested on suspicion of explosives offences near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, where a US Air Force base is located.

Axar.az reports, citing the BBC, that police received a call early Sunday about three suspicious vehicles travelling towards the base. An Army bomb disposal team was deployed to examine the vehicles.

Several homes in the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated after authorities declared a major incident. Police said the situation was contained and residents were moved to a leisure centre in Cirencester.

UK counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation, while a Hazardous Area Response Team has been deployed inside a security cordon at the base.

A US Air Force spokesperson said personnel at RAF Fairford remained vigilant and that appropriate measures were being taken to ensure the safety of service members, civilians, contractors and their families.