Two Latvian nationals arrested after breaching US intelligence hub at RAF Molesworth
British police arrested two Latvian nationals, aged 36 and 32, on suspicion of trespassing and national‑security offences after they breached the perimeter fence at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire on 8 October 2026.
RAF Molesworth hosts the United States Joint Intelligence Operations Centre for Europe and supports US European Command, US Africa Command and the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre, making it a key intelligence hub for US and allied forces. The base is currently undergoing a $556.5 million expansion known as the Joint Intelligence Analysis Complex, which will consolidate 20 facilities and accommodate more than 1,000 personnel by 2028.
Ministry of Defence Police first raised the alarm around 10 p.m. on Wednesday after spotting an abandoned vehicle near the base’s perimeter. A subsequent security sweep uncovered a small fence breach, and officers discovered the two men inside the installation at about 2 a.m. the following morning.
Initially detained on suspicion of trespass and criminal damage, the men were later re‑arrested under Section 4 of the National Security Act 2023 for entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom. They remain in custody while counter‑terrorism detectives execute search warrants at two residential properties in nearby Peterborough.
U.S. European Command praised the swift British response, stating that U.S. forces remain at the highest state of readiness. British counter‑terrorism officials, including Counter‑terrorism Policing London commander Helen Flanagan, warned against drawing premature conclusions about espionage or terrorist motives, noting no established link to the recent security concerns at RAF Fairford.
The incident follows heightened scrutiny of US‑used military sites in Britain after a suspected Iran‑linked plot led to the removal of B‑1 bomber aircraft from RAF Fairford earlier in the month. Richard Knighton, head of Britain’s armed forces, reiterated that all bases are secure and emphasised the close intelligence partnership with the United States.
Investigators continue to assess the motive behind the breach, and the situation remains under active investigation.
