From the Daily Mail (a paper that has its drawbacks but also does have its uses)
Update – the police blundered. What else is new? Other than the depths of inefficiency to which my country has sunk.
…it emerged this afternoon that the threatening online post which prompted the alert was actually made last year. It is understood that due to an error logging the date the post was made, military officials were mistakenly informed it was a new threat. .. the alert in Colchester, where the Paras’ second and third battalions are based, was stood down yesterday when it emerged the threat was a year old.
A Nottinghamshire Police spokesman said the earlier alert ‘relates to outdated intelligence and does not relate to any current threat or investigation’.
* * *
A ‘Lee Rigby-style’ threat against a British paratrooper has been uncovered by police, the Mail can exclusively reveal.
Security has been tightened at bases in Colchester where two Parachute Regiment battalions are located and Army families have been warned to protect their children.
Defence sources have confirmed the suspect’s identity and an image of him which was circulated by security officers at the Essex base.
I tell you, if a man with a face that bizarre came near me I would run anyway, machete or not.
All military staff at the base have been warned not to wear any uniforms or any clothing which would identify them as being military personnel. The families of service members have also been sent warnings.
Today, the Ministry of Defence confirmed the ongoing incident. The suspect’s chilling threat is being investigated by Nottinghamshire Police which intercepted his online messages. It remains unclear whether the suspect has been apprehended.
The Mail has obtained copies of the warnings sent to families and service personnel at Colchester Garrison, where 3,500 troops and 750 civilian workers are based.
The Mail is not naming the suspect at the present time for legal reasons.
The instructions to soldiers responsible for security at the base state: ‘Urgent. All, please disseminate to all your people in camp. We have received warning that a man has made threats against members of the Para Regt and wants to carry out a ‘Lee Rigby’ style attack.
‘The SCC [Security Control Centre] and main gate have been informed but ensure no Para Regt/military clothing is worn outside camp and remain vigilant.’
These messages specifically named the suspect and stated other identifying details.
The MOD said: ‘The safety and wellbeing of our personnel is our top priority. We are aware of an online threat, which is being investigated by the civilian police. Personnel are always advised to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the Royal Military Police.’
