Two Latvians arrested under National Security Act after RAF Molesworth fence breach
The men, aged 32 and 36, were found inside the Cambridgeshire base in the early hours of Thursday after an abandoned vehicle was spotted on patrol; counter-terrorism police say there is no link to the RAF Fairford plot.
Two Latvian nationals have been arrested under the National Security Act after breaching the perimeter fence of RAF Molesworth, the Cambridgeshire base that hosts American and NATO intelligence operations.
The men, aged 32 and 36 and both resident in Britain, were found inside the base perimeter at about 2am on Thursday. Ministry of Defence Police on patrol had spotted an abandoned vehicle near the fence at about 10pm on Wednesday, and a small breach in the perimeter fence was then identified.
They were first arrested on suspicion of trespass on a prohibited site and criminal damage, and then further arrested on suspicion of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom, an offence under section 4 of the National Security Act 2023. Both remain in police custody.
There is nothing to suggest this incident is connected to the events at RAF Fairford last week.Commander Helen Flanagan, Counter Terrorism Policing
The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing, which is searching two addresses in the Peterborough area. Specialist explosives officers examined the abandoned vehicle as a precaution; nothing of concern was found, and road cordons around Glatton, including part of the A1, have been lifted.
Commander Helen Flanagan, who 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 that the investigation was at its very early stages and that officers were keeping an open mind about the men’s motives.
RAF Molesworth, about 60 miles north of London, is used by American personnel and hosts intelligence analysis and command operations, including a NATO intelligence centre. It is not used for flying operations.
The arrests come weeks after a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which the Government has linked to Iran. A 22-year-old British man arrested in that investigation was released on bail on Thursday.
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