SHOTS FIRED AS CAR RAMS INTO RAF BASE
Gun alert camp put on lockdown
TROOPS opened fire on a driver who tried to ram his car into an airbase yesterday.
RAF Mildenhall was locked down over a “significant security alert”.
The suspect reportedly tried to get through a checkpoint posing as a senior military figure.
Aerial footage appeared to show flashing police car lights and a cordon around an aircraft at the Suffolk base, which is used by the US Air Force. The incident was not terror-related. A British man was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass.
The 44-year-old, who suffered cuts and bruises, was taken into custody and police are not looking for anyone else.
Suffolk Police said inquiries were continuing.
Officers said in a statement: “There is no wider threat to the public or occupants on the base and no other people have been injured as a result of the incident.” Suffolk Police added: “Shots were fired by American service personnel.’’
A Pentagon spokesman in Washington added that the incident had been contained.
A spokesman for the Ministry Of Defence said: “We are aware of an incident at the entry point of RAF Mildenhall. Suffolk Police have primacy.’’
A source added that anyone who entered a military base forcibly should expect an armed response.