ARMY BASE KIDNAP SCARE Cops investigate ‘suspicious’ men spotted near Aldershot Army base two weeks after RAF Marham attempted abduction
POLICE were forced to launch an urgent investigation today after two men were spotted in a car acting suspiciously near a British Army base – just two weeks after an attempted abduction at an RAF site.
Cops are probing the incident involving two men in a blue Renault Clio which happened at around 8.15am today next to the garrison in Aldershot, Hampshire.
Soldiers at the army base were today being warned not to wear uniforms to work or in the town as officers try to stop any future attempted attacks.
Security has been stepped up at the garrison, with the number of guards by the gates increasing.
The scare follows a chillingly similar attempted abduction at RAF Marham in Norfolk on July 20 where two attackers tried to drag their victim into a car.
Police are still looking for the two men involved in the previous attack.
On that occasion, the RAF victim was able to headbutt one of the thugs before fleeing – despite a knife being brandished during the struggle.
A number of officers this morning took to Facebook to warn others following instructions from bosses.
Posting on the Fill Your Boots military page, which is run by a former soldier in the parachute regiment, a statement read: “Alert confirmed.
“Just been briefed by our colonel and told no uniforms to be worn to work and out in town.
“The incident happened at 8.15am this morning by the church near Aldershot Garrison.
“They do not believe the potential kidnappers were able to get hold of the man.
“It was one male squaddie outside the garrison.
"Two reports say he was jogging, one says he was on his way into work in kit. The gate guards have been increased."
Jack Thomas Griffin, of the The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, wrote that it happened at around 8.15am this morning by a church.
He added: "We got briefed this morning, just after.
"Only details are at 8.15 by the church in Aldershot, two males in a blue Clio tried abducting a male squaddie."
Hampshire Police confirmed that although no attempted abduction occurred, they are looking into reports of a vehicle stopped suspiciously at the garrison.
A spokesman said: "We were called to a suspicious incident at 8.42am today at the junction between Queens Avenue and Hospital Hill, Aldershot.
"Two men were seen acting suspiciously in a blue Renault Clio.
"At this stage there is nothing to suggest that a crime has been committed but we are looking into why the two men had stopped the car on this stretch of road.
"No contact was made between the two men and the person reporting the incident."
Aldershot Garrison, also known as Aldershot Military Town, has long been seen as the home of the British Army ever since it was established in 1854.
It covers approximately 500 acres, and has a population of around 10,500 people.
In 1972, the garrison was the site of one of the worst UK mainland IRA attacks when a car bomb was detonated outside the headquarters mess of the 16 Parachute Brigade.
The Official IRA claimed responsibility for the attack which claimed six lives, including five women and an army priest.
The IRA said the attack was revenge for the events in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on January 30 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment.
At the time of the attack, Aldershot garrison was an entirely open garrison, but steps were taken to step up security afterwards with armed security patrols and fences.
The site is now home to the headquarters of the Army's Support Command, and it is also the administrative base for the 101st Logistic Brigade.
In total, it hosts around 70 military units and organisations.
Sarah Mia Mitrailleuse Robinson wrote on Facebook: "Stay safe guys."
Meanwhile, Laura Madill commented: "You should be able to walk the streets in uniform and be proud, not worried for your life."
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "The police are investigating at the moment. They will rule if it was an incident or not."
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