london, united kingdomReuters —
British counter-terrorism police are investigating after two Latvian men were arrested at a British air force base used by US military personnel, authorities said Thursday.
The arrests come weeks after an alleged plot targeting another Royal Air Force base used by the US military raised concerns about the security of military installations across the UK.
Police said there was no information so far to suggest that the incident at RAF Molesworth in eastern England was linked to the alleged plot against RAF Fairford in western England, which the US military has used to launch its mission against Iran.
The men were discovered after Ministry of Defense police spotted the abandoned vehicle while on patrol at RAF Molesworth, about 100 kilometers north of London, and raised the alarm.
A subsequent inspection found minor damage to the surrounding fence, and two men, aged 32 and 36, were arrested on the base.
They were initially arrested on suspicion of entering a prohibited place and criminal damage, but were re-arrested on charges of “entering a prohibited place with intent to cause harm to the United Kingdom” under the National Security Act 2023.
Molesworth Air Force Base is used by U.S. military personnel and is home to a NATO intelligence center as well as intelligence analysis and command operations. Not used for flight operations.
Last month, several men were arrested on suspicion of plotting an attack on RAF Fairford, 90 miles (145 kilometers) west of London. The British government has linked the alleged plot to Iran, which denies involvement.
The incident raised concerns about the security of British military bases, particularly those used by the US military. The United States announced Monday that threats related to Iran prompted the removal of the bomber from Fairford.
Helen Flanagan, head of London’s counter-terrorism police, said in a statement: “We are aware of the increased interest and concern surrounding military installations in recent days, but at this stage there is no suggestion that this incident is linked to the events at RAF Fairford last week.”
Police said the men were from the UK and officers were searching two addresses around the nearby city of Peterborough.
Police said bomb disposal officers searched the abandoned vehicle and found nothing of interest.
Defense Minister Wes Streeting said in a post on X: “We are extremely alert to potential threats to our military sites and are working closely with police to ensure their security.”
A US Air Force spokesperson said they appreciated the quick response and assistance of local police.
“We continue to work closely with our UK partners to ensure the safety and security of both our forces and local communities,” the spokesperson added.
