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RAF Mildenhall: Shots fired in security alert at US base RAF Mildenhall: Shots fired in security alert at US Suffolk airbase
(about 1 hour later)
A man has been arrested after trying to drive through a checkpoint at a base used by the US Air Force in Suffolk. A man has been arrested after driving through a checkpoint and getting close to an aircraft at a base in Suffolk used by the US Air Force.
Shots were fired by US personnel before the 44-year-old British man was detained at RAF Mildenhall. He suffered cuts and bruises. Shots were fired by US personnel before the 44-year-old British man was overcome by staff at RAF Mildenhall.
The base was temporarily put into lockdown as police responded to reports of what they called a "significant incident".The base was temporarily put into lockdown as police responded to reports of what they called a "significant incident".
Police said the incident was not being treated as terrorism. Police said it was now being treated as trespass not terrorism.
A Suffolk Police spokesman said the suspect was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass. A Suffolk Police spokesman said the man who suffered cuts and bruises was arrested after a "short pursuit" and his vehicle was stopped by US security services.
The spokesman said no-one else was injured and no further suspects were being sought in relation to the incident. Supt Kim Warner of Suffolk Police said there was no wider threat to the public or people on the base and they were not looking for anyone else.
A defence source told the BBC that a man in a car had approached the main security gate and had tried to force his way through the checkpoint. He said the vehicle being driven by the 44-year-old man was brought to a halt close to a US plane, an Osprey, and it was not thought there was "any significant damage" to the vehicle or the aircraft.
Suffolk police are currently at the scene and advised people to avoid the area for the time being. Suffolk Police were notified about a breach of security at about 13:40 GMT.
They say there is no wider threat to the public or people on the base and they are not looking for anyone else. "Shots were fired by US security, I don't know how many, but I do know that shots were fired," Supt Warner said.
"It would be fair to say some of the minor injuries were probably as a result of him being apprehended," he added.
The superintendent said there would now be an internal investigation by the US airbase into why the guns were discharged.
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 US Air Force said in a statement that it had ended its own response to the incident but was continuing to work with local authorities. The US Air Force said in a statement that it was continuing to work with local authorities.
The base is used as a transport hub by the US and is home to a fleet of refuelling aircraft and special operations forces.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 to 500 UK civilian staff employed there.
The base is one of 56 MoD sites earmarked for closure. The base was one of 56 MoD sites earmarked for closure.
But the US Air Force said in September it was delaying plans to relocate its operations to a base in Germany until 2024. However, the US Air Force said in September it was delaying plans to relocate its 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.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 roadblock 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.