Two Latvians held under National Security Act after RAF Molesworth breach

British counter-terrorism police are holding two Latvian men under the National Security Act after they were found inside the perimeter of RAF Molesworth, a Cambridgeshire base that houses US and NATO intelligence operations.

Why it matters: Molesworth is one of Britain's most sensitive intelligence sites, hosting the US European Command analytic center and NATO's Intelligence Fusion Centre. The breach comes days after a suspected plot at RAF Fairford prompted the US to pull its B-1 bombers from Britain, sharpening force-protection scrutiny across US bases.

Data as of Arrests early Thursday, October 8, 2026; investigation ongoing. Motive not yet established; police say no confirmed link to the RAF Fairford incident.

British counter-terrorism police are investigating after two Latvian men were arrested inside the perimeter of RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire in the early hours of Thursday, October 8. The men, aged 36 and 32 and both resident in the UK, were initially held on suspicion of trespass on a prohibited site and criminal damage, then re-arrested under Section 4 of the National Security Act 2023 for entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK.

Ministry of Defence Police patrols spotted an abandoned vehicle near the base late Wednesday night, then found a small breach in the perimeter fence. Explosive ordnance disposal officers examined the vehicle and found nothing of concern. Counter Terrorism Policing London is leading the investigation, with searches underway at two addresses in Peterborough; both men remain in custody. Commander Helen Flanagan said investigators are keeping an open mind on motive and that there is currently no confirmed link to the suspected plot at RAF Fairford that led the US to withdraw its deployed bombers from Britain.

Two Latvians held under National Security Act after RAF Molesworth breach

Sources