RAF Marham abduction suspects ‘part of larger team’

Police have expressed their belief that the two people involved in the attempted abduction of an RAF serviceman are part of a bigger team.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Paul Durham said:

“While the victim only witnessed two attackers, there may have been more than two people in the vehicle and, given the nature of the attack, it is likely they were part of a larger team.

This is important because I do not want to deter any potential witnesses from coming forward; it is the vehicle we are interested in, regardless of the number of people seen inside.”

A serviceman was threatened with a knife by two attackers outside RAF Marham in what Norfolk Constabulary have described as an “attempted abduction”.

The victim was not in uniform at the time of the incident, and was not injured during the attack.

The attackers attempted to force the airman into a dark people carrier before fleeing the scene. The incident occurred around 3:00pm on Wednesday.

Detective Superintendent Paul Durham, heading the Major Investigation Team, said:

“I can confirm we are treating this as an attempted abduction and detailed enquiries are being carried out at the scene to establish the full circumstances.

The motivation for the attack remains unclear at this time, and whilst we are currently unable to discount terrorism, there are a number of other possible hypotheses. We are therefore carrying out a thorough investigation to understand what has happened, why and who is responsible.Visible patrols continue in the area and officers will be carrying out house-to-house enquiries and detailed searches of the scene in Squires Hill, which remains closed for the time being.”

RAF Marham is home to the RAF’s Tornado GR4 Force, currently engaged in coalition missions in the Middle East. The base is currently being expanded, in preparation for the arrival of the F-35 Lightning Force. The MOD announced a £300m investment in infrastructure in and around the base to support the new fighters.

Personnel at the base have been warned not to wear uniforms when travelling alone after the incident.