London: Police have evacuated a number of homes near a US air base in England and arrested several men on suspicion of explosives-related offences.

Gloucestershire Police said several properties in Whelford, in western England, were being evacuated. The area is located close to RAF Fairford, a base used by American forces during the conflict with Iran.

The force said a number of men had been detained on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.

Army bomb-disposal experts were also deployed to examine several vehicles as part of the investigation.

Police did not immediately provide further details about the operation or the number of people arrested.