ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

A US air base in the UK was placed "on lockdown" after a driver reportedly tried to ram a car through the gates before being fired at by security staff.

Officers were called to an air base in Suffolk following reports of the "significant" security incident at around 1.40pm on Monday.

A defence source said the car tried to drive through a checkpoint at RAF Mildenhall on Monday afternoon, according to Reuters.

Suffolk Police said units responded "immediately" and American service personnel fired shots at the suspect.

The force said a man, 44, was detained and taken into custody "with cuts and bruises".

Police later added that the disturbance is not being treated as terrorism.

People working at the base said they were no longer on lockdown following the arrest.

A US Air Force spokeswoman said the "incident has been contained" adding: "There is a suspect that has been apprehended."

At around 3.45pm Suffolk Police said: "Police are continuing to deal with an ongoing incident at RAF Mildenhall, it is considered that there is no wider threat to the public or occupants on the base. One man has been arrested and police are not looking for anyone else on the site."

No other people were injured in the incident.

A statement from the base, which is used by the US Air Force, said: "RAF Mildenhall locked down at 1pm today following reports of a disturbance on base.

"The base was locked down and emergency personnel are responding to the situation.

"Additional details will be provided as they become available. Individuals in the area surrounding the installation are asked to avoid the base at this time.

"We ask that individuals avoid posting messages on social media regarding the incident."

The 1,162-acre base, which houses about 3,100 U.S. military and an additional 3,000 family members, is set for closure after the U.S. said it was going to move is operations from the base to Germany.

The arrested man remained in police custody on Monday evening. Officers said they were not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.