Two Latvian men arrested on suspicion of trespass at RAF base
Counterterrorism police arrested two Latvian men living in the United Kingdom following a security breach at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire. Officers apprehended the suspects aged 36 and 32 inside the base perimeter at about 02:00 BST after routine patrols discovered an abandoned vehicle and a damaged perimeter fence. The facility is used by the United States and NATO military. Authorities initially detained the pair on suspicion of trespass, criminal damage, and entering a prohibited place, then re-arrested them under the National Security Act 2023 before releasing them on bail.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ Two Latvian men aged 36 and 32 living in the UK were arrested inside the perimeter of RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire.
- ✓ Security patrols discovered an abandoned vehicle and an alleged breach in the site perimeter fence during routine patrols at about 02:00 BST.
- ✓ The suspects were initially held on suspicion of trespass on a prohibited site and criminal damage, then re-arrested under the National Security Act 2023.
- ✓ Commander Helen Flanagan stated that officers are still trying to identify any potential motivation behind why the men were at that location.
What changed
Metropolitan Police counterterrorism officers re-arrested the two suspects under the National Security Act 2023 before releasing them on bail.
Live updates
-
Two Latvian Men Arrested After Trespass at UK Military Base
Counterterrorism police arrested two Latvian men living in the United Kingdom following a security breach at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire. Officers apprehended the suspects aged 36 and 32 inside the base perimeter at about 02:00 BST after routine patrols discovered an abandoned vehicle and a damaged perimeter fence. The facility is used by the United States and NATO military. Authorities initially detained the pair on suspicion of trespass, criminal damage, and entering a prohibited place, then re-arrested them under the National Security Act 2023 before releasing them on bail.
Why it matters
RAF Molesworth operates as a key intelligence hub utilized by both US and NATO forces, currently undergoing a substantial expansion project. Breaches at defense installations housing international intelligence infrastructure trigger heightened security protocols across British counterterrorism units. Investigators are working to determine the exact motive behind the incursion by foreign nationals residing inside the country.
What is confirmed
- Two Latvian men aged 36 and 32 living in the UK were arrested inside the perimeter of RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire.
- Security patrols discovered an abandoned vehicle and an alleged breach in the site perimeter fence during routine patrols at about 02:00 BST.
- The suspects were initially held on suspicion of trespass on a prohibited site and criminal damage, then re-arrested under the National Security Act 2023.
- Commander Helen Flanagan stated that officers are still trying to identify any potential motivation behind why the men were at that location.
- The two arrested men have been released on bail.
Still unconfirmed
- The breach at RAF Molesworth is directly linked to foreign espionage targeting the base's US and NATO intelligence hub or its ongoing expansion project.
What to watch next
- Decisions by counterterrorism prosecutors on whether to formally charge the two suspects following their release on bail.
- Updates from police regarding the ongoing investigation into the motive behind the base incursion.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (23)
- www.bbc.com — BBC Home - Breaking News, World News, US News, Sports, Business...
- inews.co.uk — Two Latvian men arrested for trespass at RAF base used by US and Nato
- BBC — Two Latvian men arrested on suspicion of trespass at RAF base
- WSJ — Two Latvians Arrested After Break-In at U.K. Military Base
- CNN — Two men arrested after breaking into UK airbase used by US, counterterrorism police say
- dw.com — UK: Two Latvian men arrested for breaking into RAF base
- Fox News — 2 foreign nationals breach UK base housing key US, NATO intel hub amid $556M expansion
- www.theguardian.com — Two Latvian men arrested at RAF base in Cambridgeshire used by US military
- The Guardian — Two Latvians arrested at RAF base in Cambridgeshire released on bail
- BBC — Two men bailed after security breach at RAF Molesworth
- Reuters — Two men arrested at UK airbase used by US released on bail
- www.dailyrecord.co.uk — Two Latvian men arrested over alleged breach at RAF base - Daily Record
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community