UK police arrest five on terrorism charges as US air base incident probed

British police has arrested five men on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offenses near an air base in southwestern England used by the US Air Force. 

The arrests followed a tip-off that three vans had been heading to the military airfield which has been used to strike Iran.

Counter terrorism detectives leading the investigation said police had received a call about three suspicious vehicles which appeared to be traveling towards RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday.

Five men were arrested by armed officers and later held on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. Police said they believed the incident was now contained.

"We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody," Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said in a statement.

"As you would expect we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident."

Police said a 400-meter cordon was in place around the base as the bomb disposal unit investigated the vans. 

"Counter Terrorism Policing can now confirm they are leading an investigation into an incident which took place overnight near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire," the London Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

Properties evacuated

Residents were evacuated to a nearby leisure center, police said.

Villager Julian Tudsbery said he was woken and advised to leave at about 7:00 am (0600 GMT) by police "banging on the door."

He said a fellow villager had alerted police in the middle of the night after spotting the vans.

"They phoned the airbase police, who didn't answer the phone. It just rang out so she dialed 999," he told the BBC.

The British government gave authorization to the US to use RAF Fairford to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned in July that any base used in strikes would be a legitimate target.

An eyewitness said armed police had blocked access to the main gate of the base, while equipment had been positioned in front of access points and residents of a nearby village were evacuated to a leisure center.

Around 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, were stationed in the village of Fairford near the base.

"The Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles."

A spokesperson for the US Air Force declined to discuss specific force protection measures.

"The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families," the spokesperson said.

"We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families."

Britain said in July its armed forces were ​ready to protect the country from any attack after Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned the UK not to allow US bombers to ‌fly from Fairford.