Two Latvian nationals have been arrested on suspicion of trespass offences after allegedly breaching the perimeter fence at an RAF base used by US military intelligence.
Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) officers discovered an abandoned vehicle during security patrols near RAF Molesworth at about 10pm on Wednesday.
A subsequent search by the MDP and Cambridgeshire Constabulary uncovered a small breach in the base’s perimeter fence.
Two men, aged 36 and 32, were arrested inside the base. Counter Terrorism Policing London said both men are Latvian nationals and UK residents.
They were initially detained on suspicion of trespassing on a prohibited site and causing criminal damage.
The pair were later arrested on suspicion of an offence under Section 4 of the National Security Act 2023: entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK.
Both men remain in custody while Counter Terrorism Policing investigates. Officers are working with the MDP and Cambridgeshire Constabulary as inquiries continue.
RAF Molesworth is home to the US intelligence operations centres for Europe and Africa, as well as the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre (NIFC), according to the Central Intelligence Agency’s website.
The NIFC had been scheduled to host a Russia Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Cambridgeshire base also houses several units belonging to the United States Air Force’s 423rd Air Base Group.
Police are also searching two addresses in the Peterborough area as part of the investigation.
The abandoned vehicle was recovered and taken to a nearby location, where further searches prompted the deployment of specialist explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) officers.
Two men, aged 36 and 32, were arrested inside the perimeter of RAF Molesworth (pictured). Counter Terrorism Policing London said both are Latvian nationals and UK residents
A further search by the MDP and Cambridgeshire Constabulary found a small breach in the perimeter fence at RAF Molesworth
As a precaution, a cordon was put in place on roads in the Glatton area, including part of the A1.
Additional checks found nothing of concern, and the cordons were later removed.
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The incident is not thought to be linked to a suspected bomb plot at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire last week.
Seven men were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences in connection with that incident and have since been released on bail.
They were detained after police were alerted to three “suspicious vehicles” near the RAF base during the early hours of September 27.
A farmer contacted officers after encountering “masked” men while returning home from a party, then seeing three abandoned vehicles on a country road.
It sparked the evacuation of 85 homes after the discovery of barrels of material found in the back of the vans, which were parked 350 metres from the RAF base.
Experts feared it could be a huge vehicle bomb capable of ‘massive’ destruction, but it is understood that further testing established they were not viable explosives.
The suspects, from London, have been bailed in a move lambasted by US President Donald Trump, who suggested Iran could have been involved.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were ‘strong indications’ that Tehran played a role in the suspected bomb plot. Iran has ‘categorically’ denied any involvement.
No.10 has maintained that the base in Gloucestershire is now safe after the Pentagon said it had removed all of its B-1 bombers from the base.
Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford on September 27, though that number later rose to seven. All have been bailed
At least 12 American bombers were stationed at RAF Fairford until the Pentagon hastily ordered the planes to return to their home stations earlier this month.
The base is believed to have been used as the ‘preferred’ hub for Iranian bombing missions.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which 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.
‘Our investigation into this incident is at 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 and enquiries are very much ongoing.
‘As ever, I would ask the public to remain vigilant and if you see anything of concern, then to contact police.’
Anyone who sees anything that does not look or feel right has been urged to contact the police by calling 0800 789321 or report it online.
