Police launch appeal for help after RAF serviceman fights off kidnap-bid pair
POLICE are appealing for pedestrians and motorists to help track down two “Middle Eastern” men after the attempted knifepoint abduction of an RAF serviceman.
The married serviceman, who is in his late 20s, was out running near RAF Marham, in Norfolk, on Wednesday when he was grabbed by a man, who tried to drag him towards a nearby car.
He knocked the first attacker to the floor and an accomplice, carrying a knife, helped the assailant up before both men fled.
The serviceman was said to have been left “very, very shaken by his ordeal”.
Police are urging anyone walking or driving along Squires Hill, near to Costcutters in Marham, around the time of the incident on Wednesday to come forward.
Norfolk Police Detective Superintendent Paul Durham said anyone in the area could have vital information.
He added: “Early CCTV inquiries suggest the road, Squires Hill, was fairly busy throughout the afternoon with pedestrians and cars.
“It is these people we are very keen to speak with. They may regularly use the shops and may have seen something out of the ordinary.
“The vehicle used by the suspects, a dark-coloured people carrier, remains a key line of inquiry and clearly anyone who saw a vehicle similar to this in that area during the time frame should contact us.
“I would stress to people that no matter how insignificant the information may seem to them, it is crucial we have this to piece together a full picture of the circumstances leading up to the incident.”
He said that there may have been an element of “preplanning” and terrorism cannot be ruled out.
He added: “I can confirm we are treating this as an attempted abduction and detailed inquiries are being carried out at the scene to establish the full circumstances.
“The motivation for the attack remains unclear at this time, and while we are currently unable to discount terrorism, there are a number of other possible hypotheses.”
Police are keen to trace the two men, a dark-coloured people carrier and also the “military-style” knife, with a two-and-a-half to three-inch blade.
Norfolk Police released descriptions of two suspects of Middle Eastern appearance as military personnel were reportedly sent a memo warning them about the attempted abduction incident.