Two Latvians released on bail after breaking into UK air force base

British police on 9 October released on bail two Latvian citizens who were detained on Thursday on suspicion of unlawfully entering RAF Molesworth, a Royal Air Force base in Cambridgeshire, in south-eastern England. The base also houses a NATO intelligence centre, and the case is being investigated by counter-terrorism police.

How the arrests unfolded

Ministry of Defence police, carrying out a security patrol at Molesworth, found an abandoned vehicle. Cambridgeshire police officers came to the scene, and together with the ministry's police they carried out an additional search of the area. A small breach in the perimeter fence was then found, and at about 2 a.m. on Thursday two men were located and detained.

The men, aged 32 and 36, are Latvian citizens who currently live in the United Kingdom. They were first arrested on suspicion of unlawful entry to a prohibited area and damage to property, and were 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 concerns entering a prohibited place with the aim of harming the United Kingdom.

The investigation

Helen Flanagan, head of London's counter-terrorism policing, who leads the investigation, said there is currently nothing to suggest a link to the incident at the Fairford base last month. She stressed that the investigation continues and that police are working closely with Ministry of Defence police and Cambridgeshire police.

According to Flanagan, one of the main lines of inquiry remains establishing the possible motive for the men being at the site, including whether it may be connected to criminal activity. She urged the public to stay vigilant and to contact police if they see anything suspicious.