This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42401585
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
RAF Mildenhall: Shots fired in security alert at US base | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A man has been arrested after apparently trying to drive through a checkpoint at a base used by the US Air Force in Suffolk. | |
Shots were fired by US personnel before the man was detained at RAF Mildenhall. | |
He suffered cuts and bruises and is now in the custody of Suffolk Police. | |
The base was temporarily put into lockdown as police responded to reports of what they called a "significant incident". The incident is not thought to be terror-related. | |
Suffolk police are currently at the scene and advised people to avoid the area for the time being. | |
They say there is no wider threat to the public or people on the base and they are not looking for anyone else. | |
RAF Mildenhall is protected by Ministry of Defence police and US armed guards. | RAF Mildenhall is protected by Ministry of Defence police and US armed guards. |
The base is used as a transport hub by the US and is home to a fleet of refuelling aircraft and special operations forces. | |
It has about 3,200 military personnel, with 400-500 UK civilian staff employed there. | It has about 3,200 military personnel, with 400-500 UK civilian staff employed there. |
The US Air Force said in September it was delaying plans to relocate operations to a base in Germany until 2024. | The US Air Force said in September it was delaying plans to relocate operations to a base in Germany until 2024. |
RAF Mildenhall has previously been a potential target for a terror attack against US military personnel. In May 2016, Junead Khan was given a life sentence for preparing terrorist acts after a court heard how he used his job as a delivery driver to gather information about the base. | |
At the scene | |
By Phil Shepka, BBC News | |
If wasn't for the police car blocking off the road into RAF Mildenhall you could be forgiven for thinking nothing had happened. | |
The road block is off a roundabout and motorists have been stopping to try to find out what's going on. | |
And on the base itself, where many US refuelling jets are based, it looks like business as usual and planes are continuing to take off. |