Two Latvian men, aged 36 and 32, were arrested in the early hours of Thursday after being found inside RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire, police and Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed. The pair were detained following a breach of the base’s perimeter fence, with an abandoned vehicle discovered nearby hours earlier. Both men, Latvian nationals who reside in the UK, were initially held on suspicion of trespass on a prohibited site and criminal damage, and later re-arrested under Section 4 of the National Security Act 2023, suspected of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK.
The Arrest at RAF Molesworth
Ministry of Defence Police patrols spotted the abandoned vehicle at around 10pm on Wednesday, prompting a search of the site. Officers from Cambridgeshire Constabulary arrived shortly after and discovered a small breach in the perimeter fence. The two men were found inside the base at approximately 2am on Thursday and detained at the scene. A subsequent search of the recovered vehicle led specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers to the location, though a cordon put in place on local roads was later lifted after no concerning materials were found. Searches are currently underway at two addresses in the Peterborough area, linked to the investigation.
The Investigation Unfolds
Counter Terrorism Policing London, headed by Commander Helen Flanagan, is leading the inquiry. In a statement, Commander Flanagan said the force remains “very aware of the recent heightened interest and concern around military sites,” but stressed that, at this stage, there is nothing to suggest the incident is connected to events at RAF Fairford last week. “Our investigation into this incident is at its very early stages,” she added. “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 at this stage and enquiries are very much ongoing.” The public has been urged to remain vigilant and to contact police if anything of concern is observed.
RAF Molesworth: A Strategic Hub
RAF Molesworth holds a prominent place in the UK’s defence architecture. The base hosts the US’s intelligence operations centres for Europe and Africa, as well as a NATO intelligence hub, according to the Central Intelligence Agency’s website. It is also home to the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre, which provides the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Allied Command Operations with intelligence to support NATO operations. Additionally, US air force units from the 423rd Air Base Group, headquartered at nearby RAF Alconbury, are stationed there. In 2024, the US Defence Intelligence Agency broke ground on a 556 million dollar (£421 million) facility—the Joint Intelligence Analysis Complex—set to house 1,000 intelligence personnel upon completion. The base’s strategic importance underscores the gravity of the security breach.
Political and International Reactions
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting took to X to thank the MOD and civilian police and security teams for their quick, professional response. “We are highly vigilant about potential threats to our military sites and work closely with the police to keep them secure,” he wrote, noting that the protection of bases is multi-layered, incorporating physical barriers, patrols, surveillance, monitoring, and counter-drone capabilities. A spokesperson for US European Command said the command is aware of the reports, adding that it is inappropriate to discuss matters of intelligence or specific force protection measures. “We will continue to assess the threat environment surrounding our installations and take appropriate actions to protect our people, our platforms, and the bases where our forces operate from,” the statement read. “While we assess the global security posture, US forces remain at the highest state of readiness,” the spokesperson added, expressing gratitude to the UK for the close partnership on matters of security.
Latvia, a Baltic state and member of both the EU and NATO, borders Russia. Relations between Riga and Moscow have been strained since Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The two arrested men’s nationality and residence in the UK have naturally drawn attention in that context, though investigators have yet to establish a definitive link to broader geopolitical tensions.
Why it Matters
The arrest of two men at a UK base that houses critical US and NATO intelligence assets highlights the persistent security challenges facing military installations on British soil. Even as armed forces and police maintain layered defence measures, the incident serves as a reminder that perimeter security remains a focal point of concern, particularly at sites integral to transatlantic and alliance operations. How the investigation unfolds—especially regarding the men’s motives and any potential connections to wider security threats—will likely shape future protocols and public discourse on the protection of sensitive defence infrastructure.
