Police arrest 13 people after blockade protest at gates to RAF Lakenheath
Protesters locked themselves onto a car to block the main gates for six hours from 6am this morning (Tuesday 7 April 2026)
Police have arrested 13 people after peace protesters blocked gates to an RAF airbase used by the US Air Force in a protest against the war in Iran.
The Lakenheath Alliance for Peace said in a statement that protesters locked themselves onto a car to block the main gates to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk for six hours from 6am today (Tuesday 7 April 2026).
They said that activists also locked themselves to a large multi-coloured peace symbol and to each other.
A second gate was also blocked for four hours from 6am, before re-opening at 10am, the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace said.
The group said it followed a “week-long international peace camp at the base that ended” on Monday.
In the statement, it said fighter and bomber planes from RAF Lakenheath have been deployed in Iran, describing the war as an “illegal war”.
Suffolk Police said: “On Tuesday, April 7 in Lakenheath, police arrested 13 people who had resumed protests outside the RAF base.
“The 13 were taken to investigation centres in Bury St Edmunds and Martlesham for questioning.
“The arrests relate to locking on, conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, attempting to lock on or criminal damage.
“Officers arrived at the base soon after 6am following reports of protesters locking themselves to their own vehicles outside the main gate and gathering at two other entrances.
“One gate was cleared by around 10am this morning; the others by early afternoon.”
The force said the incident “caused disruption to motorists, with some road closures implemented during the protest as officers assisted with traffic management”.
A Suffolk Police spokesperson added that officers would “remain on site until further notice”.