Two Latvian men were arrested in the early hours of Thursday after being found inside the perimeter of RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire. The base is used by the US military and Nato for intelligence operations.
The men, aged 32 and 36, were initially detained on suspicion of trespass on a prohibited site and causing criminal damage. They were subsequently arrested on suspicion of an offence under section 4 of the National Security Act 2023, specifically entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK.
Counter-terror police are now leading the investigation. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of counter-terrorism policing London, stated that there is currently nothing to suggest a connection to an incident near RAF Fairford last month. She added that investigators are working to determine the men's motivation.
The arrests followed the discovery of an abandoned vehicle outside the facility and a small hole in the perimeter fence. Both men, who are Latvian nationals resident in the UK, remained in police custody on Thursday. Officers are also conducting searches at two addresses in the Peterborough area in connection with the investigation.