​WATCH: Gloucestershire Police issue statement after arrests of five men near RAF Fairford​

"Armed officers responded and subsequently arrested five men in the Whelford area on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act. The men were taken into custody where they remain.

"A 400-metre cordon has been put in place around the vehicles, while the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit examined them as a precaution. Around 85 households have been advised to evacuate while these examinations take place. A nearby leisure centre has been opened for those who are unable to stay with family or friends.

"The emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents such as this. Work to establish the full nature of this incident is ongoing, and we are in constant communication with our partners, both locally and nationally. In particular, we are working closely with our partners in counter-terrorism policing.

"Gloucestershire Police's focus at this time is on the local community, and I would like to thank the residents who have left their homes this morning for their understanding and support.

"We appreciate the disruption that this will have caused to both them and other local residents in the area, and would like to reassure them that we are working as quickly as we can to get them back into their properties.

"We would also please ask the public not to speculate, but to follow official channels for all updates."

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