Soldiers warned not to wear uniforms to work after military employee ‘escapes abduction bid’ outside Aldershot barracks a fortnight after RAF Marham attempted kidnap

Soldiers are being warned not to wear uniforms to work until further notice after a military civilian was caught up in a suspected abduction outside one of the UK’s biggest Army bases.

It comes two weeks after a kidnap bid at RAF Marham. 

Police are investigating the incident involving two men in a blue Renault Clio which happened at around 8.40am on Wednesday next to the garrison in Aldershot, Hampshire.

Soldiers at the Army base are being warned not to wear uniforms to work or in the town as officers attempt to prevent any future attempted attacks. Security has been stepped up at the garrison, with the number of guards by the gates increasing.

Hampshire Police were called to the incident at the junction between Queens Avenue and Hospital Hill, Aldershot, after reports two men were acting suspiciously. “Two men were seen acting suspiciously in a blue Renault Clio,” a force spokesman said. “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.” They added: “No contact was made between the two men and the person reporting the incident, who is a civilian member of staff who works within the military complex at Aldershot.”

It is understood the military employee in the Aldershot incident is safe and well.

A number of soldiers this morning took to Facebook to warn others following instructions from senior officers. 

“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.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The police are investigating at the moment. They will rule if it was an incident or not.” A spokesman for Aldershot Garrison directed all inquiries to Hampshire Police.