British counterterrorism police are investigating how two Latvian men entered RAF Molesworth, a base that houses U.S. and NATO intelligence operations. Authorities have not established their motive.
The men, aged 32 and 36, were arrested at about 2 a.m. Thursday. Police said the investigation began the previous evening after an abandoned vehicle was found near the base and officers discovered a small hole in its perimeter fence.
They were first arrested on suspicion of trespassing at a protected site and causing criminal damage. They were later arrested on suspicion of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom. Both men live in the country.
RAF Molesworth is about 112 kilometres north of London. It hosts NATO’s Intelligence Fusion Centre and U.S. military intelligence personnel. U.S. European Command said it was aware of the incident but declined to discuss specific security measures.
Helen Flanagan, head of London’s counterterrorism police unit, said the investigation was at an early stage. Investigators are examining why the men were at the site and are keeping an open mind, she said. Police said there was no evidence at this point linking the breach to an incident at RAF Fairford.
The breach was one of several recent incidents involving British military sites. Three suspicious vans were found near RAF Fairford in September, leading to seven arrests. A serving Royal Navy member also appeared in court on Thursday, accused of trying to pass sensitive information to Russia between 2024 and 2025.
U.K. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the government remained highly vigilant. He cited a layered approach to protecting bases, including barriers, patrols, surveillance and counter-drone capabilities.