RAF uniforms banned on UK streets

[JasonR_374341560]

"RAF personnel have been ordered not to wear their uniforms in public after incidents of verbal abuse on the streets. Troops have been told to keep a low profile in Peterborough after taking advice from RAF police"

Uniformed members of the force have received abuse from a "cross section" of the public!

Full cross section! I bet my last £, NOT!

 

[rayc]

Jason, many years ago my brother was advised not to wear his uniform in pubs in our home "town" of Tooting, London. This of course had nothing to do with the new enemy within.

 

[LMH]

My brother was in the Royal Engineers and they wern't allowed to wear their uniform off duty.

I thought it mainly related to possible incidents with the IRA.

Lisa

 

[JeremyClarksson]

When I was in the RNR we were not allowed to wear our uniforms in public except on work related occasions like rememberance day and recruitment events. I believe this continues now.

I would like to see servicemen wearing their uniforms in public and being proud of them, after all they are prepared to give up their lives for this country and its citizens.

Unfortunately the airman killed last weekend was the uncle of one of my daughters schoolfriends and the timing of this news must be awful for that family coming straight after the death of a loved one who could have had another 50+ years with them.

My thoughts go out to them.

 

[Guest]

During the days of IRA as a security measure we were told no to wear our uniform in public to protect ouself and our family that was understandable.

 

[giovanni_5060838]

Its wrong for anyone in uniform to be given abuse.

But,why would one want to wear their uniforms off duty?

Don't think the police are allowed to,nor are fireman,ect.

 

[GillandMike]

Listening to the Jeremy Vine show on radio 2 earlier, it seems that its anyone in uniform whether its service personnel or the boys brigade. Apparently whilst the BB were marching in uniform outside of their HQ a load of louts drove past screaming 'murderers' at them. Even nurses come in for abuse. It seems that there is a certain strata of society who see any uniform as somone to hate what ever their role is.

 

[Stephen_374341239]

I see the armed forces are having to put up with abuse in Peterborough. Well if you are wearing the sovereigns uniform the abuse is directed at her that is treason to the crown and thats the only thing that still holds the DEATH penalty in this country. Or are we going to go softon that as well.ANSWER that Mr Brown

 

[JasonR_374341560]

Wakey Wakey.

People in uniform have a working day, they buy fuel,pop in to Asda, buy papers,sweets and fags, pop to the bank or M&S food counter at lunch time, *** into the estate agents or dry cleaners on the way home!

We see Armed forces personel, prison oficers, fire brigade, police and nursing staff in uniform, are they not supposed to be let out!

 

[BrianStAlbans]

Tolate ,I think DP for treason went in 2002.

 

[BrianStAlbans]

Tolate ,I think DP for treason went in 2002.

To late (typo)

 

[BrianStAlbans]

It's not a problem though as they can just take them for a trip through a french underpass ;O)

 

[giovanni_5060838]

Actually jason,"wakey wakey" you need to do the waking up.

The armed forces are on duty 24/7, unless on leave and thats what was being discussed! On leave!,not on duty.!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you mentioned nurses though "wakey wakey" as it seems this too is considered a bad idea. Hazzard a guess why.....

 

[Royston]

I was stationed at RAFWittering 1954 to 1956 never ever thought of wearing my uniform outside the airfield when off duty,always went out in civvies.

On reflection by wearing civies, you never had any problems with the snowdrops(RAF Military Police).

 

[JasonR_374341560]

Yes we all know about super bugs etc, but nurses are still seen at local bus stops and in the supermarket in uniform.

I don't know any forces personnel who wear uniform when on leave and I haven't seen to many out for a night on the town in uniform.

24/7 duty is a technicality and only really applies to active service in most cases, most service personnel seen in town centres etc are in the off duty hours of their day Gio.

And we meet my cousin for a drink and meal before catching a Portsmouth ferry some times, he's the CO of a RN base, and has been in uniform with rolled green beret "off duty"," office closed"! But yes he could be called upon via Blackberry.

 

[Rodone]

When I was in the forces in late 50's, we generally only put on uniform outside barracks if we were hitch hiking anywhere. In those days there was respect, and a certain ammount of sympathy from Joe Public towards all 3 services. Nowadays, you have too many p****d up yobs, along with, as a previous careful poster said," the enemy within".

 

[giovanni_5060838]

"I don't know any forces personnel who wear uniform when on leave and I haven't seen to many out for a night on the town in uniform."

I believe it was this that was being highlighted a couple of weeks ago. radio 2 picked up on it.Returning servicemen/on leave.

Of corse this has now escalated into a political minefield.

 

[JasonR_374341560]

When I went to Cornwall for a short spell in the 70's I often gave Marines a thumbed lift down the A38 to Stonehouse Rod One. The Torpoint ferry is just along the road.

If you shop in Plymouth, Portsmouth, Fareham, Aldershot, Windsor or many other towns such as Peterborough that have Service bases you will see people in their uniform. If you holiday in Cyprus and other places you will also see British servicemen between work and home in uniform.

That's a simple fact of life and a few years ago anyone hurling abuse would have got a short sharp meaningfull shock.

 

[GillandMike]

Gio, my reference to nurses were to those actually working in the hospital getting abused, perhaps I should have made myself more clear. However I do agree that nurses off duty should change out of uniform before leaving their place of work

 

[giovanni_5060838]

GILL.I agree, my reference was uniforms and off duty.

Its seems today we wear the same things everywhere.There was a time when you went to work,and then got changed into somesort of uniform/overhauls,ect. Those days seem to have gone

 

[giovanni_5060838]

Gill I think no one should take abuse,but lately it seems voicing ones opinion at shoddy service is now ranked as abuse,and so many services are now using this as an excuse to not deel with things fairly.

Hospitals, railway stations, airports,BQ, even shops ect,ect. It seems we have to now just take crap service and not complain!

Funny thing is, if we apply these rules to every single workplace,i look forward to the taxi driver telling the bq worker or air hostess or nurse,"get out of my cab and walk"

Their crime, to ask why the taxi was 5 mins late.

 

[smiley]

The story that has come out re Wittering happened six months ago, concerning forces nurses who work in Peterborough.

So it s a bit old hat.

 

[Geist]

JasonR wrote:

Full cross section! I bet my last

 

[JasonR_374341560]

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

I am in the Fire Service & proud to wear my uniform.

But when I go off duty the uniform goes into my locker.

Its bad enough having to put up with the agro of being stoned at incidents that I leave my uniform at the Station.

I feel that any uniformed service should not wear their uniform in the street when off duty