Chronicle Live
February 8, 2015
Two men are being hunted by police after teenage cadets were threatened with beheading outside a Tyneside Army reserve base.
The chilling verbal attack was yesterday been described as “horrendous” by community leaders.
The two girls, both aged under 18, were targeted as they left the Territorial Army centre in Gateshead.
Police believe they were threatened by two men in a car with what appeared to be Dutch number plates on Alexandra Road near the centre.
Officers have released CCTV images of two Asian or black men in a car who they wish to speak to in connection with the incident.
The threats were said to include beheading.
It is understood the girls were not in uniform at the time but the incident has once again sparked debate about public visibility of those connected to the armed forces.
Northumberland and North East Fusilier Association chairman Major Chester Potts said: “It’s a sad state of affairs that people feel they can threaten innocent young people on the streets of Britain.”
Former RAF serviceman John Murray, 83, from North Tyneside, said the incident was “deplorable” and called for more support for forces personnel.
Babaji Davender Ghai, president of the Newcastle-based Anglo Asian Friendship Society, said: “There should be no place for this in society. They should be punished.