Two Latvian Nationals Arrested After Breaking Into Molesworth Air Base in Britain
British police have detained two Latvian citizens who entered RAF Molesworth, home to a NATO intelligence centre, in the early hours. They are suspected of entering a prohibited place with intent to harm the UK.
Two Latvian citizens, aged 32 and 36, have been arrested in the United Kingdom after unlawfully entering the Molesworth air force base. The site also hosts a NATO intelligence centre. Both men currently live in Britain.
How the arrests unfolded
Ministry of Defence police, conducting a security patrol at the base, found an abandoned vehicle. Cambridgeshire police officers came to the scene and, together with their MoD colleagues, carried out a further search of the area. A small breach in the perimeter fence was then identified, and at about 2 a.m. on Thursday the two men were found and detained.
They were first held on suspicion of trespassing in a prohibited area and criminal damage, and taken to a Cambridgeshire police station. They were then arrested again on suspicion of an offence under section 4 of the National Security Act 2023, which covers entering a prohibited place for a purpose that may harm the UK. Both men remain in police custody.
The investigation
The inquiry is led by Helen Flanagan, head of London's counter-terrorism policing. She said police were aware of the recent heightened interest and concern about military sites, but that nothing at this stage suggested a link to last week's events at the Fairford base.
Flanagan said the investigation is at a very early stage. Much of the work is focused on establishing possible motives for why the men were at the site, and officers are keeping an open mind. She urged the public to stay vigilant and to contact police if they see anything suspicious.
As part of the investigation, officers are searching two addresses in Peterborough.
