These US aviators at Molesworth are from the 423d Security Forces Squadron, but the suspects were found by officers from the MOD Police and Cambridgeshire Police (Picture: US Department of War)

USA

Two men arrested after perimeter fence at USAF base in Cambridgeshire found breached

8th October 2026 at 4:21pm

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of trespass at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire – a support base used by the US Air Force.

Security patrols by Ministry of Defence Police carried out near the perimeter of the base identified an abandoned vehicle.

Officers from Cambridgeshire Constabulary also attended and, working with their colleagues from MDP, carried out further searches around the site – a small breach of the perimeter fence was subsequently identified and two men were located and arrested.

The suspects, aged 36 and 32, are Latvian nationals, currently resident in the UK.

They were initially arrested on suspicion of trespass on a prohibited site and criminal damage and taken to a Cambridgeshire police station.

The pair were then further arrested on suspicion of an offence under section 4 of the National Security Act 2023 – namely entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK.

Both men currently remain in police custody.

Due to the nature of the incident, the matter is being investigated by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing.

Commander Helen Flanagan, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, said: "We're very aware of the recent heightened interest and concern around military sites, but at this stage there is nothing to suggest this incident is connected to the events at RAF Fairford last week.

"Our investigation into this incident is at its very early stages.

"A big part of this is looking at any potential motivation as to why the men were present at the site, but I must stress we are keeping an open mind at this stage and enquiries are very much ongoing.

"As ever, I would ask the public to remain vigilant and if you see anything of concern, then to contact police."

Anyone who sees anything that doesn't look or feel right can contact police, in confidence, by calling 0800 789321 or report it online via www.gov.uk/ACT

Officers are carrying out two searches at addresses in the Peterborough area in connection with the investigation.

RAF Molesworth and nearby RAF Alconbury are located outside the town of Huntingdon.

RAF Alconbury provides various base support functions to the 423 ABG, mission partners and tenant units at RAF Molesworth.

This includes the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre – a collaborative intelligence hub that provides data to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and AFRICOM J2-M, US Africa Command's directorate for intelligence.