Residents of several homes in Whelford, western England, were evacuated Sunday as police investigated suspected explosives offenses and detained several men, authorities said. Gloucestershire police said residents were taken to a nearby leisure center and that the situation was contained. Army bomb-disposal specialists were examining several vehicles, and counter-terrorism police took charge of the investigation, a move police said is customary in similar cases. Authorities have not disclosed the number of people detained or the nature of the suspected offenses. Whelford is near RAF Fairford, which U.S. forces have used for limited strikes during the war with Iran. The British government allowed U.S. forces to use the base to strike Iranian missile sites after the conflict began Feb. 28. Police have not confirmed any connection between the arrests and the air base. Britain’s Defense Secretary Wes Streeting thanked emergency and specialist teams responding to the incident, saying the public could be reassured it was being handled. Prime Minister Andy Burnham was receiving updates, his office said. A U.S. Air Force spokesperson said personnel at RAF Fairford remained vigilant but declined to discuss specific security measures. The spokesperson said the service regularly assesses conditions that could affect protections for its installations, personnel and families.