Two men have been arrested on suspicion of entering a prohibited military site for a purpose “prejudicial to the UK” following a security breach at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire.
The suspects, identified as Latvian nationals aged 36 and 32, were apprehended by authorities at 2 a.m. on Thursday after they were discovered inside the perimeter of the base, which serves as a critical hub for US and NATO intelligence operations.
The incident began to unfold late Wednesday evening when Ministry of Defence (MOD) security patrols identified an abandoned vehicle near the site at approximately 10 p.m. Following a coordinated search by the MOD and Cambridgeshire Constabulary, officers discovered a breach in the base’s perimeter fence. The two men were located and arrested at the scene shortly thereafter.
While the pair were initially detained on suspicion of trespass and criminal damage, they have since been further arrested under Section 4 of the National Security Act 2023. The investigation is now being led by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP).
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP London, emphasized that while the incident has caused significant concern, there is currently no evidence linking it to the security breach that occurred at RAF Fairford last week. “Our investigation is at its very early stages,” Flanagan said. “A big part of this is looking at any potential motivation as to why the men were present at the site, but I must stress we are keeping an open mind.”
In connection with the investigation, police have conducted searches at two residential addresses in the Peterborough area. An abandoned vehicle recovered from the scene also prompted the deployment of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists as a precaution. A cordon was established and local road traffic was restricted, but the area has since been cleared after officials confirmed that “nothing of concern” was found within the vehicle.
RAF Molesworth is a facility of significant strategic importance, housing US intelligence operations for Europe and Africa, as well as the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre. The site is currently undergoing a massive $556 million expansion, with the construction of the Joint Intelligence Analysis Complex, designed to accommodate 1,000 personnel.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting praised the response of law enforcement, noting that the UK remains “highly vigilant” regarding the security of military installations. “The protection of our bases is multi-layered, including physical barriers, patrols, surveillance, monitoring, and counter-drone capabilities,” Streeting said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the US European Command acknowledged the reports, stating that while it is inappropriate to discuss specific intelligence or force protection measures, the US remains in a “highest state of readiness” and expressed gratitude for the “close partnership” with UK security forces.
Both suspects remain in police custody as inquiries continue.
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