Two men arrested after breaking into UK airbase used by US, counterterrorism police say

Chris Radburn/Reuters

British counterterrorism police are investigating after two Latvian men were arrested inside a Royal Air Force base used by US personnel, authorities said on Thursday.

The arrests come weeks after a suspected plot targeting another British airbase used by the US military raised concerns about security at military sites across Britain.

Police said there was nothing so far to suggest the incident at RAF Molesworth in eastern England was linked to the suspected plot against RAF Fairford in western England, which has been used by the US military to launch missions against Iran.

The men were discovered after Ministry of Defence Police found an abandoned vehicle during a security patrol at RAF Molesworth, about 100 km (60 miles) north of London, and raised the alarm.

Subsequent checks uncovered a small breach in the perimeter fence and the two men, aged 32 and 36, were arrested inside the base.

They were initially arrested on suspicion of trespassing on a prohibited site and criminal damage, before being re-arrested on suspicion of “entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK” under the National Security Act 2023.

RAF Molesworth is used by US personnel and hosts intelligence analysis and command operations, as well as a NATO intelligence centre. It is not used for flying operations.

Last month, several men were arrested over a suspected plot to attack RAF Fairford, 90 miles (145 km) ‌west of London. The British government has linked the suspected plot to Iran , which denied any involvement.

The incident raised concerns over security at Britain’s military bases, particularly those used by US forces. The US said on Monday that a threat linked to Iran had prompted the removal of its bombers from Fairford.

“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,” Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said in a statement.

Police said both men were resident in Britain and that officers were searching two addresses in the area around Peterborough, a nearby city.

Bomb disposal officers checked the abandoned vehicle but found nothing of concern, police said.

“We are highly vigilant about potential threats to our military sites and work closely with the police to keep them secure,” defense minister Wes Streeting said in a post on X.

A US Air Force spokesperson said they appreciated the swift response and support from local law enforcement.

“We remain in close coordination with our UK partners to help ensure the safety and security of both our military and local communities,” the spokesperson added.

克里斯·拉德伯恩/路透社

英国当局周四表示，两名拉脱维亚男子在美军使用的英国皇家空军基地内被捕，英国反恐警察正在对此进行调查。

几周前，一起疑似针对另一处美军使用的英国空军基地的阴谋引发了人们对英国各地军事设施安全的担忧。

警方表示，目前没有任何迹象表明发生在英格兰东部莫尔斯沃思皇家空军基地的事件与针对英格兰西部费尔福德皇家空军基地的疑似阴谋有关，后者曾被美军用于对伊朗发动袭击。

国防部警察在伦敦以北约 100 公里（60 英里）的莫尔斯沃思皇家空军基地进行安全巡逻时，发现了一辆被遗弃的车辆，随后拉响了警报，这才发现了这几名男子。

随后的检查发现围栏有一处小缺口，两名分别为 32 岁和 36 岁的男子在基地内被捕。

他们最初因涉嫌擅闯禁地和刑事毁坏而被捕，之后又因涉嫌违反 2023 年《国家安全法》“为损害英国利益的目的进入禁地”而再次被捕。

莫尔斯沃思皇家空军基地供美军人员使用，并设有情报分析和指挥行动中心以及北约情报中心。该基地不用于飞行作战。

上个月，几名男子因涉嫌密谋袭击位于伦敦以西90英里（145公里）的费尔福德皇家空军基地而被捕。英国政府已将该阴谋与伊朗联系起来，但伊朗否认参与其中。

该事件引发了人们对英国军事基地，特别是美军基地安全的担忧。美国周一表示，与伊朗有关的威胁促使其从费尔福德撤走了轰炸机。

伦敦反恐警察负责人海伦·弗拉纳根在一份声明中表示：“我们非常清楚最近人们对军事基地的关注和担忧有所增加，但目前没有任何迹象表明这起事件与上周在费尔福德皇家空军基地发生的事件有关。”

警方表示，这两名男子都是英国居民，警员正在附近城市彼得伯勒周边地区的两个地点进行搜查。

警方表示，拆弹人员检查了这辆被遗弃的车辆，但没有发现任何可疑之处。

国防部长韦斯·斯特里廷在 X 网站上发帖称：“我们对军事基地可能面临的威胁保持高度警惕，并与警方密切合作，以确保其安全。”

美国空军发言人表示，他们感谢当地执法部门的迅速反应和支持。

发言人补充说：“我们将继续与英国合作伙伴保持密切协调，以确保我们军队和当地社区的安全。”