Men hunted after threatening to behead female Army cadets
The beheading threat by unknown men echoes the 2013 murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby
Fusilier Lee Rigby was murdered in 2013 Photo: MOD
By Ben Farmer, Defence Correspondent
7:11PM GMT 06 Feb 2015
Two men are being hunted after they drove past female Army cadets and threatened to behead them.
The men in a silver Opel Zafira are believed to have asked "Are you in the Army?", then shouted as they drove past the cadets, who were not in uniform, after the girls left the centre in Gateshead.
Their threat echoed the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby, who was killed in the street near Woolwich barracks in 2013.
Police have stepped up patrols in the area and warned other Army Reserve centres – formerly the Territorial Army – since the incident on January 21.
Detectives have traced the car, which is left-hand drive and appears to have foreign plates, and were trying to establish the identity of the occupants.
The driver was described as black or Asian, in his 40s, and of plump or muscular build with a black bushy beard and wearing dark clothes.
The passenger was also said to be black or Asian, in his 30s, and had short black hair and stubble.
Superintendent Richie Jackson said: "The men made no attempt to make any physical contact with the girls or get out of the car, and shouted the comments while driving away from the scene.
"As a precaution we have notified staff at other Army Reserve centres in the area and have had extra officers on patrol in Alexandra Road to reassure residents.
"Although this is concerning, it is an isolated incident and if anyone has any information that could help us with the investigation I'd ask that they contact us on 101."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident allegedly involving members of the Army Cadet Force – this is a matter for the police and we cannot comment further. Any witnesses are urged to contact the police.”
Fusilier Rigby was killed near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, while off duty.
Killers Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale set about him with knives and a cleaver, hacking him to death. The pair were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in jail.
