TWO men were today still being held on suspicion of rape following a violent sex attack near a Suffolk military base.The quiet rural community of Great Bricett, near Wattisham Airfeld, was in shock after the woman in her 20s was subjected to the assault at around 2.

TWO men were today still being held on suspicion of rape following a violent sex attack near a Suffolk military base.

The quiet rural community of Great Bricett, near Wattisham Airfeld, was in shock after the woman in her 20s was subjected to the assault at around 2.30am yesterday .

A 26-year-old man from Trimley, near Felixstowe, was arrested at 6.23pm last night. Police were not able to confirm whether the man - who is in custody at Bury St Edmunds police station - was from Trimley St Mary or Trimley St Martin.

An hour later a 20-year-old from Brentwood in Essex was also arrested by officers investigating the incident.

Forensic teams have been combing the scene of the alleged assault for any clues.

Robert Mead, a spokesman for Wattisham Airfield, said the Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police was also assisting officers with their investigations.

The police cordon, which was removed yesterday afternoon, was in the middle of the married quarters outside the airbase.

The shaken victim - who also received facial injuries - called police shortly after she was brutally assaulted and was interviewed by detectives after being checked over by medics.

Police set up a mobile unit at the scene on Lower Farm Road, which connects the villages of Ringshall and Great Briscett, early yesterday morning as the investigation got underway.

Children at a nursery on the road, whose playground was at the centre of the sweep by Scenes of Crime Officers, were moved to the nearby community centre known locally as “The Hive”.

David Payne, a Great Bricett parish councillor, said he noticed a large amount of police activity from his window, nearby the nursery, at 11.30am.

He said the whole of the local community had been left stunned by the attack.

“It is a very quiet community and everyone is shocked,” the 66-year-old, of Releet Close, said. “I saw a police community support officer directing mothers into the community centre because the nursery was closed.

“I spoke to a grandmother and mother collecting their toddlers from the nursery and they were quite shocked as they said they regularly leave their doors unlocked not thinking there is any crime in the area.”

Mr Payne, who moved to the rural village in November last year, added the alleged attack had taken place in the middle of the married quarters outside the airbase.

Anyone with information about the assault is urged to contact DC Jim Gidney at Stowmarket CID on 01473 613500.