UK police arrest suspects after incident near US-used airbase

British police said on Thursday they had arrested several men on suspicion of offenses related to explosives.

According to Reuters, army bomb disposal experts are inspecting a number of vehicles following a "major incident" near an airbase used by US forces in southwest England. Police added that residents in nearby areas have been evacuated from their homes.

In a statement, Gloucestershire Police said: "A number of properties in the area of Welford are currently being evacuated following the declaration of a major incident. This follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act."

Earlier in the day, British police declared an emergency in the village of Welford near RAF Fairford, which hosts personnel from the US Air Force, and evacuated residents from several homes in the area.

According to Al Arabiya, British police confirmed the situation is under control, with large numbers of emergency teams, including a hazardous area response team, deployed at the scene. Evacuated residents have been moved to a nearby leisure center as authorities continue their investigation.