Two Latvian men arrested inside US-operated RAF Molesworth base

Two Latvian men arrested inside US-operated RAF Molesworth base

Two Latvian men remain in custody following their arrest inside the perimeter of RAF Molesworth, a facility in Cambridgeshire used by the U.S. military and NATO. The arrests followed the discovery of an abandoned vehicle around 10 p.m. on Wednesday by Ministry of Defence Police carrying out security patrols. That discovery prompted authorities to deploy specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers to carry out additional checks, while police put a cordon in place that affected nearby roads. Officials lifted the cordon after nothing of concern was found, and the two men were found and arrested at approximately 2 a.m. on Thursday after officers discovered a small breach in the base’s perimeter fence.

The men, aged 32 and 36, are Latvian nationals who reside in the United Kingdom. Authorities initially arrested them on suspicion of trespass on a prohibited site and criminal damage, and took them to a Cambridgeshire police station. The pair have since been further arrested on suspicion of violating Section 4 of the National Security Act 2023, which covers entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom. Counterterrorism police are leading the investigation and are currently conducting searches at two properties in the Peterborough area.

What exactly is RAF Molesworth?

RAF Molesworth is a non-flying facility managed by the U.S. Air Force, according to the Central Intelligence Agency's website. While it is a former World War II airbase, it serves as an intelligence hub. It houses the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre, which supports the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Allied Command Operations in planning and executing the organization's operations, as well as the U.S. Joint Intelligence Operations Center, Europe, which provides similar service for the U.S. military’s European command. Additionally, the base hosts intelligence personnel supporting U.S. Africa Command.

The strategic importance of the site is expanding. In 2024, the U.S. Defence Intelligence Agency said it had broken ground on a $556m (£421m) facility at the base, which will support U.S. military intelligence in Europe and Africa and employ 1,000 intelligence personnel. Following the breach, a U.S. European Command spokesman stated: While we assess the global security posture, US forces remain at the highest state of readiness. We would also express our gratitude to the UK for the close partnership with US forces on matters of security.

Why are police investigating this alongside recent events at RAF Fairford?

The arrests occur during a period of heightened sensitivity surrounding security at military installations in Britain. In late September, men were arrested following reports of suspicious vehicles near RAF Fairford. Following that incident, the U.S. military withdrew B-1 bombers from Fairford.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, confirmed that there is currently no evidence linking the Molesworth breach to the Fairford investigation. We’re very aware of the recent heightened interest and concern around military sites, but at this stage there is nothing to suggest this incident is connected to the events at RAF Fairford last week, Flanagan said in a statement. Police noted that they are keeping an open mind regarding the motives of the two men arrested at Molesworth.

That juxtaposition points to an increasingly volatile security environment where military installations face intersecting pressures. While counterterrorism teams probe the Peterborough properties for answers, the lack of an established link between Fairford and Molesworth suggests security services are confronting a diffuse threat matrix. That leaves investigators sorting through overlapping alarms across multiple defense sites.

What is the timeline of the Molesworth and Fairford incidents?

What is the current status of the suspects?

The two men arrested at Molesworth were being held at a police station in Cambridgeshire as of Thursday. Meanwhile, the suspects previously arrested in connection with the Fairford incident have been released on police bail.

The Ministry of Defence has stated that they remain highly vigilant to potential threats against defence sites. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: Our thanks go to the MoD and civilian police and security teams for their swift response. We remain highly vigilant to potential threats against defence sites and work closely with the police and our allies to keep them secure. The protection of our bases is kept under constant review, with a multi-layered approach that includes physical barriers, patrols, surveillance, monitoring, and counter-drone capabilities.

For now, the investigation into the Molesworth breach remains in its early stages. Residents in the Peterborough area may notice continued police activity as investigators examine the suspects' motives. Authorities have advised the public to remain vigilant and trust the ongoing police process as they coordinate with intelligence partners to address these security concerns.