Two Latvian men arrested at RAF Molesworth under National Security Act
Counter-terror police arrested two UK-based Latvian nationals at RAF Molesworth after a perimeter breach. The men face charges under the National Security Act 2023.
Two Latvian nationals held at RAF Molesworth on suspicion of entering prohibited site
Counter-terrorism police have arrested two Latvian men, aged 32 and 36, after they were found inside the perimeter of RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire, The Sun reports.
Security personnel first noticed an abandoned vehicle near the base's outer fence, prompting a joint search by Cambridgeshire Police and Ministry of Defence Police at around 10pm. Officers located a "small breach" of the perimeter fence before finding and detaining both men at 2am.
The pair, described as Latvian nationals currently residing in the UK, were initially arrested on suspicion of trespass on a prohibited site and criminal damage. They have since been further arrested on suspicion of an offence under section 4 of the National Security Act 2023 — specifically, entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK. Both men remain in police custody.
The abandoned vehicle was recovered and examined by specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers; nothing of concern was found. Police are also searching two residential addresses in Peterborough in connection with the investigation.
RAF Molesworth serves primarily as an intelligence support facility for United States Air Force and NATO missions in the Middle East and the Balkans, and has supported counter-terrorist operations since the September 11 attacks in 2001.
No confirmed link to RAF Fairford incident
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, said: "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."
She added: "Our investigation into this incident is at its very early stages. 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."
Police stressed the Molesworth arrest is not currently being linked to a separate incident at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, where seven men were bailed after being arrested on suspicion of terror offences relating to a suspected bomb plot.
Those seven suspects, from London, were detained in the early hours of 27 September after officers were alerted to three "suspicious vehicles" near the Gloucestershire base. A local farmer also called 999 after receiving no response when she contacted the guardroom at the US strategic facility. A substance found in drums inside the vehicles was subsequently assessed not to be a viable explosive — The Sun understands it was petrol.
Following the decision to bail the first five of those men, US President Donald Trump criticised the release. US officials suggested Iran could have been involved. Trump subsequently withdrew all American bombers from RAF Fairford, citing fears of an Iranian drone attack, describing unspecified "threats" while declining to confirm whether they were imminent.
Downing Street insisted the Gloucestershire base remains safe after the Pentagon confirmed the withdrawal of the aircraft — understood to be around a dozen B-1 bombers that had been involved in missions targeting Iran.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were "strong indications" that Iran played a part in the Fairford incident, which followed a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London linked to an Iran-backed group.
Commander Flanagan urged the public to stay alert: "As ever, I would ask the public to remain vigilant and if you see anything of concern, then to contact police."
Anyone with information can contact police in confidence by calling 0800 789321, or report online at www.gov.uk/ACT.
Source: The Sun