Two Latvian Men Arrested After Security Breach at RAF Molesworth, Counter-Terrorism Police Investigate

Two Latvian nationals are being questioned by counter-terrorism detectives after they were detained inside the perimeter of a sensitive military base in Cambridgeshire that serves as a hub for United States and Nato intelligence operations.

The pair, aged 36 and 32, were arrested in the early hours following a security alert at RAF Molesworth, a site located west of Huntingdon near the Northamptonshire border. Both men are understood to be residents of the United Kingdom, according to the Metropolitan Police, which is leading the investigation through its Counter Terrorism Policing London command.

The incident began to unfold on Wednesday night when a Ministry of Defence Police patrol spotted an abandoned vehicle at approximately 22:00 BST. A subsequent search of the perimeter revealed that a small section of the fence had been breached, prompting an immediate security response.

Several hours later, officers located and detained the two men inside the base's perimeter. They were initially held on suspicion of trespass on a prohibited site and criminal damage, with support from Cambridgeshire Police officers who joined the search operation. The suspects were taken to a local police station for questioning.

The case escalated on Thursday when the men were further arrested on suspicion of an offence under Section 4 of the National Security Act 2023. That provision covers entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom, a serious charge that carries significant legal weight.

Commander Helen Flanagan of the Met Police sought to reassure the public while confirming that investigators were keeping an open mind about the men's motivations. She acknowledged the current climate of heightened concern surrounding military installations but indicated that no link had yet been established between this incident and a separate high-profile event at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire the previous week.

"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. She stressed, however, that the inquiry remained in its "very early stages," suggesting that the picture could evolve as evidence is gathered.

As part of the investigation, officers are conducting searches at two residential addresses in the Peterborough area. Flanagan said a key focus for detectives is establishing why the men were present at the site, while emphasising that no firm conclusions have been drawn.

The security alert also triggered a significant disruption to local infrastructure. The A1M was partially closed at around 13:00 BST, along with several other roads in the Glatton area, after the abandoned vehicle was discovered. A cordon was established while bomb squad officers examined the vehicle, though Cambridgeshire Police later confirmed that "nothing of concern was identified" and the roads were reopened shortly afterwards.

RAF Molesworth holds a distinctive place within the UK's defence landscape. It is not a flying station, but instead hosts the United States' intelligence operations centres for both Europe and Africa, alongside a Nato intelligence hub. Its role makes it a strategically important asset for transatlantic and alliance intelligence-sharing arrangements.

The Ministry of Defence responded to the breach by underscoring the layered nature of security at defence sites. A spokesperson said: "We remain highly vigilant to potential threats against defence sites and work closely with the police and our allies to keep them secure." The spokesperson added that protection of bases is kept under constant review, incorporating physical barriers, patrols, surveillance, monitoring and counter-drone capabilities.

US European Command also issued a statement, thanking UK agencies for their support while declining to discuss operational specifics. A spokesperson said: "It is inappropriate to discuss matters of intelligence, and we will not discuss specific force protection measures." The command added that it would continue to assess the threat environment around its installations and take appropriate steps to protect personnel, platforms and bases.

The arrests come amid wider unease about the security of military sites across the UK. The reference to RAF Fairford highlights how incidents at defence installations can quickly attract national attention, particularly when they involve sites tied to US or Nato operations. The fact that counter-terrorism police have taken the lead in this case reflects the seriousness with which authorities are treating the breach.

Section 4 of the National Security Act 2023 was introduced to modernise the UK's espionage and security legislation, replacing older offences that were considered inadequate for contemporary threats. Its use in this case signals that investigators are examining whether the men's presence at RAF Molesworth had a hostile or prohibited purpose, rather than being a simple case of trespass.

The two suspects remain in custody as detectives continue their enquiries. Searches in Peterborough are ongoing, and forensic examination of the abandoned vehicle and the breached fence is likely to form part of the evidence-gathering process. The men's ages and Latvian nationality have been confirmed, though no further details about their backgrounds or immigration status have been released.

Commander Flanagan renewed a public appeal for vigilance, urging anyone who notices suspicious activity around sensitive locations to contact police. "As ever, I would ask the public to remain vigilant and if you see anything of concern, then to contact police," she said. The appeal reflects a broader counter-terrorism strategy that relies heavily on community reporting to identify potential threats before they escalate.

For now, the investigation remains at an early stage, with detectives working to establish a motive and determine whether the breach was an isolated act or part of something more coordinated. The absence of a confirmed link to RAF Fairford means the case is being treated on its own merits, but the involvement of counter-terrorism officers and the use of national security legislation indicate that authorities are not ruling out the most serious possibilities.

As searches continue and questioning proceeds, the incident at RAF Molesworth serves as a reminder of the persistent security challenges facing military installations that play a central role in Western intelligence and defence cooperation. Further updates are expected as the investigation develops.