Politics 4 min read By Arthur Ellington
Two Latvian men arrested over trespass at RAF Molesworth
Police detained two Latvian nationals after a security patrol found an abandoned vehicle and a breach in the perimeter fence at the Cambridgeshire airbase, which hosts US military operations.
Two Latvian men have been arrested on suspicion of trespass offences at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire after security patrols discovered an abandoned vehicle and a breach in the perimeter fence, according to police. The arrests were made last night at the airbase, which is used by the United States military and has long been a focus of protest activity.
Officers found the abandoned vehicle near the base and identified damage to the fence line. The two men, both Latvian nationals, were detained at the scene. Their names have not been released and no further details about their motives or backgrounds have been confirmed by authorities. The investigation is ongoing.
RAF Molesworth is a Royal Air Force station near the village of Molesworth in Cambridgeshire. It is currently home to the Joint Intelligence Operations Center Europe (JIOCEUR) Analytic Center, a US Department of Defense intelligence facility, and has been a site of demonstrations by peace activists for decades. Security at the base is jointly managed by the Ministry of Defence and US forces.
The breach comes amid heightened awareness of security at military installations across the UK. In recent years, several incidents involving unauthorised access to defence sites have prompted reviews of perimeter protection. The Ministry of Defence has not commented specifically on the Molesworth incident, but a spokesperson said it takes the security of its sites seriously and works closely with local police.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary confirmed the arrests and said enquiries are continuing. The men remain in custody. No charges have yet been filed. The force has not indicated whether the incident is being treated as a protest-related action or a potential security threat.
The arrests are likely to draw attention to the broader issue of security at bases hosting US personnel and assets. The UK and US share a close defence relationship, and any intrusion at such facilities is treated with particular seriousness. The incident also coincides with ongoing public debate about the balance between protest rights and the protection of military infrastructure.
Local residents near RAF Molesworth expressed surprise at the news. One said the area is usually quiet and that the base has a visible security presence. The abandoned vehicle was removed from the scene as part of the investigation. Forensic teams are understood to have examined the vehicle and the damaged fence.
The two men are expected to be questioned further by detectives. Under UK law, trespass on a protected site can carry significant penalties, particularly when it involves a military installation. The Crown Prosecution Service will decide whether to bring charges once the police investigation concludes.
This is not the first time RAF Molesworth has been in the news for security breaches. In previous years, activists have been arrested after attempting to enter the base to protest against US military operations. The site has also been the subject of parliamentary questions about its security arrangements.
Defence analysts note that while the incident appears isolated, it highlights the challenge of securing large, often rural, military sites against unauthorised access. The outcome of the investigation will be watched closely by both UK and US authorities. Further updates are expected as the case develops.
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