5 Men Arrested Over Suspected Terror Plot Near U.K. Base Used by U.S. Forces - Time Magazine

British police arrested five men near an air base used by U.S. forces on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing a terrorist act.

Police received a report at around 12:45 a.m. Sunday about three suspicious vehicles traveling toward RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, southwestern England. Armed officers responded and arrested the men in nearby Whelford, and counterterrorism police are now leading an investigation into the incident.

Fairford is used as a standby airfield and forward operating location for the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command. The base has recently been used by the U.S. military to launch B-52 and B-1 bombers against targets in Iran.

In a press conference Sunday, Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said armed officers quickly responded to the call and arrested the men. They also evacuated 85 households in the area.

"A 400m cordon has been put in place around the vehicles, while the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit examine them,” Ocone said. A statement from police earlier Sunday said that they believe the situation is “contained.”

Ocone added that the men remain in custody and will be questioned by police.

The base is home to both 501st Combat Support Wing Headquarters and the 420th Air Base Squadron, and is seen as the “preferred bomber forward operating location in Europe,” according to the U.S. Air Force. 

TIME has reached out to the U.S. Air Force for comment on the incident.

A representative of the Air Force told Sky News that none of its personnel are involved in the incident, but that the branch remains “in close coordination with our UK partners to help ensure the safety and security of both our military and local communities."

This is a developing story and will be updated.