Two Latvian nationals have been arrested under the National Security Act after breaching the perimeter of RAF Molesworth
Two Latvian nationals have been arrested under the National Security Act after breaching the perimeter of RAF Molesworth, a Cambridgeshire base that hosts major US and NATO intelligence operations.
Ministry of Defence Police security patrols identified an abandoned vehicle near the site at about 22:00 BST on Wednesday, 7 October. Officers from Cambridgeshire Constabulary joined the search. A small breach in the perimeter fence was later found, and the two men, aged 36 and 32, were located and arrested inside the base at approximately 02:00 on Thursday.
Both men are Latvian nationals who currently live in the UK. They were initially arrested on suspicion of trespass on a prohibited site and criminal damage. They have since been further arrested under section 4 of the National Security Act 2023 for entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK. Both remain in police custody.
Counter Terrorism Policing London is leading the investigation. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of the unit, said officers were aware of heightened public concern around military sites but that there was nothing at this stage to suggest any connection to events at RAF Fairford last week. She described the inquiry as being at an early stage, with a focus on establishing any motivation for the men’s presence, while stressing that police were keeping an open mind.
She also urged the public to remain vigilant and report anything of concern.
RAF Molesworth is a non-flying station used by the United States Air Force. It houses the Joint Intelligence Operations Center Europe Analytic Center, which supports US European Command intelligence analysis across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, along with a US Africa Command intelligence element and the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre. The base is garrisoned by elements of the 423rd Air Base Group.
The incident follows a separate security alert at RAF Fairford in recent days. Police have said they have found no evidence linking the two cases. Enquiries continue, including searches of properties linked to the arrested men.
