Two Latvian nationals arrested after security breach at RAF Molesworth as counter-terror police investigate

Two Latvian men are being held by counter-terrorism officers following a security breach at a Royal Air Force base in Cambridgeshire, authorities have confirmed.

The pair, aged 36 and 32, were detained inside the perimeter of RAF Molesworth after a security patrol discovered an abandoned vehicle near the site late on Wednesday evening.

According to Ministry of Defence Police, the alert was raised at approximately 22:00 BST when officers on routine duty spotted the unoccupied vehicle. A subsequent search operation involving both MDP personnel and Cambridgeshire Constabulary uncovered a small breach in the base's perimeter fencing several hours later, and the two men were found within the compound.

The suspects were initially taken into custody on suspicion of trespassing on a prohibited site and criminal damage, and were transported to a Cambridgeshire police station for questioning. However, investigators have since escalated the case by placing the men under further arrest on suspicion of an offence under section 4 of the National Security Act 2023, which covers entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom.

Counter Terrorism Policing London is now leading the investigation. Commander Helen Flanagan, who heads the unit, sought to reassure the public while acknowledging the ongoing sensitivity surrounding military installations.

"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 said.

She added that officers were conducting searches at two residential addresses in the Peterborough area as part of the inquiry, describing the investigation as being in 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," Flanagan continued, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report any concerns to police.

The incident has drawn attention to RAF Molesworth's strategic significance. Located west of Huntingdon and close to the Northamptonshire border, the base hosts a NATO intelligence hub and is set to become a key centre for American military intelligence operations across Europe and Africa. In 2024, the US Defence Intelligence Agency announced it had begun construction on a $556 million facility at the site, underscoring its growing importance within the transatlantic security architecture.

The abandoned vehicle also triggered a major security response on Thursday. At around 13:00 BST, the discovery led to the partial closure of the A1M and several surrounding roads in the Glatton area. A cordon was established while bomb disposal experts examined the vehicle. Roads were reopened shortly afterwards after Cambridgeshire Police confirmed that "nothing of concern was identified."

The Ministry of Defence emphasised that protection of military sites remains a priority. 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 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."

US European Command also responded to the incident, expressing gratitude to UK agencies for their cooperation. However, a spokesperson declined to comment on specific security arrangements, stating: "It is inappropriate to discuss matters of intelligence, and we will not discuss 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 case highlights the increasingly complex security landscape facing military installations in the UK and across Europe. The National Security Act 2023 was introduced specifically to modernise the legal framework for addressing state threats and espionage, and section 4 offences carry significant penalties for those found guilty of acting against UK interests at protected sites.

While investigators have not drawn a direct link between this incident and the earlier disruption at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, the proximity in time between the two events has inevitably raised questions about the vulnerability of defence infrastructure. Commander Flanagan's comments suggest that authorities are keeping all possibilities under review, even as they stress the absence of any confirmed connection.

The two suspects remain in custody as officers continue their searches in Peterborough and appeal for information from the public. Anyone with details relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact police or report concerns through official channels.