Two men arrested inside the grounds of a sensitive military communications station in Cambridgeshire have been released on strict bail terms while counter-terrorism detectives continue their inquiries.
The suspects, identified as Latvian nationals aged 36 and 32 who reside in Britain, were detained late on Wednesday night after breaching the security perimeter at RAF Molesworth. The site, situated west of Huntingdon near the Northamptonshire border, serves as a crucial intelligence facility for both the United States military and NATO allies.
Late-Night Discovery Sparks Major Security Response
The alarm was raised around 22:00 BST on Wednesday when Ministry of Defence Police officers on routine patrol noticed an unattended vehicle left near the boundary of the installation. A closer inspection of the outer perimeter revealed a small cut in the perimeter fencing.
Officers from Cambridgeshire Constabulary quickly reinforced defence police on the scene, cordoning off the area and launching an immediate sweep of the base grounds. Several hours later, search teams located both men well inside the restricted boundary. They were immediately taken into custody and transported to a nearby police station for questioning.
Initially, police booked the pair on suspicion of criminal damage and trespassing on a prohibited site. As the inquiry progressed, however, detectives rearrested them under Section 4 of the National Security Act, which specifically deals with entering protected locations for reasons deemed prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom.
Counter-Terrorism Detectives Lead Inquiry
Due to the sensitivity of the installation and the nature of the alleged offences, the investigation was transferred to the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.
Detectives have already carried out warrants at two residential properties in the Peterborough area in connection with the breach. Forensics specialists have also impounded the vehicle recovered outside the station to trace its movements and examine its contents.
Commander Helen Flanagan, who heads Counter Terrorism Policing London, moved to address public apprehension surrounding recent intrusions near British defence assets.
“We’re very aware of the recent heightened interest and concern around military sites, but there is nothing from our investigation so far to suggest this incident is connected to the events at RAF Fairford last week,” Flanagan stated. She confirmed that investigators are keeping an open mind regarding the suspects’ intentions.
“A key line of inquiry remains to identify any potential motivation behind why the men were at that location, and this includes whether it may be connected to any criminal activity,” Flanagan added, urging members of the public to stay observant and report anything unusual around critical infrastructure.
Significance of RAF Molesworth
Unlike frontline fighter stations, RAF Molesworth does not host active runways or operational aircraft. Instead, it operates quietly as one of the most critical military data and analysis junctions in Western Europe.
The installation hosts key analytical arms for the US military, including joint intelligence centres serving US European Command (USEUCOM) and US Africa Command (USAFRICOM). In addition, a specialised NATO intelligence hub operates within its walls, sifting through reconnaissance and strategic surveillance data.
Given the station’s role in coordinating international defence intelligence, security around the woodland-bordered perimeter is normally rigorous. A breach of the outer cordon naturally triggers high-level protocols, drawing in national security investigators to ensure no vital operational data or infrastructure was compromised.
Strict Conditions Imposed
Following extended interviews, both suspects were granted conditional police bail while officers continue to analyse seized digital devices and verify their domestic background.
Police have not disclosed the specific conditions of their bail, but such measures typically involve travel restrictions, curfews, and regular reporting to local stations. No formal charges have yet been filed, and inquiries remain active across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.