British counter-terrorism police are investigating after two men entered RAF Molesworth, a base used by U.S. personnel and NATO. Police said the men, both Latvian nationals who live in Britain, are 32 and 36.
Ministry of Defence Police found an abandoned vehicle during a security patrol at the Cambridgeshire base. Officers then discovered a small breach in the perimeter fence and arrested the men inside. They were first detained on suspicion of trespass at a prohibited site and criminal damage, then re-arrested on suspicion of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom, police said.
RAF Molesworth is about 100 kilometres north of London. U.S. personnel use the base for intelligence analysis and command operations, and it hosts a NATO intelligence centre. It is not used for flying operations.
Police said there was nothing so far to suggest the incident was connected to a suspected plot against RAF Fairford in western England. Several people were arrested last month in connection with an alleged plan targeting that base. The British government linked the suspected plot to Iran, which denied involvement.
Defence Minister Wes Streeting said authorities remained alert to potential threats at military sites and were working closely with police. A U.S. Air Force spokesperson thanked local law enforcement for its rapid response and said the U.S. side was coordinating with British partners.