Seven charged after anti-Iran war protesters formed six-hour blockade outside RAF Lakenheath

Oliver Partridge
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:15:43 +0000

Thirteen protesters were taken into custody on Tuesday following a six-hour blockade at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.

Of those detained, seven have been charged with 'locking on' offences – a crime involving attaching oneself to another individual, object or land in a manner capable of causing serious disruption.

Organised by the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, the protest followed a week-long International Peace Camp at the site, which concluded on Monday.

Demonstrators occupied the main entrance and two additional access points at the American-operated base from 6am, causing traffic disruption and road closures across the area.

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Police managed to clear one gate by mid-morning, with the remaining entrances reopened by early afternoon.

The accused include Virginia Herbert, 78, from Cholsey, Wallingford; Marie Walsh, 69, of Didcot; Eris H'Aitch, 51, from Cromer; Mohammed Patel, 76, of Bolton; David Thorpe, 60, from Southampton; and Ammaarah Sidat, 24, of Accrington.

Five others were granted police bail, while one individual remains under investigation.

A Suffolk Police spokesman stated that officers had a "duty to enforce the law without fear or favour, and as it currently stands, not as it might be in the future".

Activists secured themselves to a vehicle, a large multicoloured peace symbol, and one another during the demonstration.

One participant, speaking anonymously to the BBC, explained their motivation as being "against US imperialism, wars and the arms trade".

The protester added: "We are raising awareness and just showing the base directly that people in Britain are not tolerating this and we don't want this anymore."

When asked about potential arrest, they responded: "If I am arrested, then I am happy to be taken for a cause I believe."

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The USAF at Lakenheath affirmed its respect for the right to "engage in peaceful and lawful freedom of speech and expression".

The demonstration came after media reports indicated that a US fighter jet downed over Iran last Friday had been stationed at RAF Lakenheath, which serves as a base for American forces.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Washington receives authorisation to launch strikes from British facilities on an individual basis.

"The UK has authorised the United States to use British military bases for specific defensive missions to destroy Iran's missile capabilities which are threatening British people, bases, and our partners in the region," a spokesman said.

More than 100 peace activists formed a blockade outside the base last Saturday, where two people were initially arrested on suspicion of obstructing a public highway during the demonstration.

Protest organiser Peter Lux said accountability for RAF installations was essential when American aircraft are permitted to depart.

"It's definitely an RAF base, it's sovereign territory, and so Britain is actually legally liable for what actually happens at that base," said Mr Lux.

"I think we need the accountability of those bases, particularly with what's going on in Iran, which the British Government have said they're not happy about because of international law".

According to the organiser, demonstrators have witnessed between 116 and 118 US fighter bombers leaving Lakenheath in recent weeks.

Campaigners delivered a letter to base commanders at the outset of their encampment, expressing opposition to American military use of British facilities and citing concerns over international law violations.