'Rifle' sighting sparks alert at Bulford Camp barracks
'Rifle' sighting at Bulford Camp not suspicious
(about 1 hour later)
Armed officers and a police helicopter were scrambled to an Army base after three people were reportedly seen nearby with a rifle.
Police have confirmed that an incident involving three people reportedly seen near an Army base with a rifle is not suspicious.
Police were called to the "suspicious incident" near Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, at 17:00 BST on Thursday.
Armed officers and a police helicopter were scrambled to Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, at 17:00 BST on Thursday.
The area around the barracks, on Salisbury Plain, was searched but no suspects were located.
The area around the barracks, on Salisbury Plain, was searched but no suspects were located at the time.
Mayor of Tidworth, Chris Franklin, said there would be a "harder presence" at the camp's gates in light of the alert.
Officers have now spoken to those concerned and confirmed they were not involved in any suspicious activity.
The Ministry of Defence has not commented on the level of threat at Bulford, but a spokesperson said security remained of "paramount importance".
Wiltshire Police's Vince Logue said: "With recent events, both in the UK and abroad, it is understandable we are seeing an increase in calls from members of the public reporting suspicious behaviour.
An Army spokesperson added: "The security of our personnel and their families is of paramount importance and kept under constant review.
"It is only right that we fully investigate calls of this nature. Thankfully, this incident turned out to be non-suspicious."
"We do not comment on specific security arrangements."
South sector Deputy Insp Vince Logue said: "We responded to an alleged incident at Bulford Camp.
"Officers took the appropriate precautions and carried out a search for the men. No one was found.
"It may not have been a firearm, nevertheless I would ask residents across the county to be vigilant."
An overnight lockdown has been lifted.
BBC Wiltshire reporter Karen Gardner said while it appeared to be "business as normal" at the base on Friday morning, security around the camp appeared to be heightened.
It comes after the attempted abduction of a serviceman at RAF Marham in Norfolk on Wednesday.
The camp is one of a crescent of military bases in the area, including Tidworth and Larkhill, and around a third of the Army is based in these camps, including the Royal Signals and the Royal Military Police.
Bulford will also be home to the 5th Battalion The Rifles, which is in the process of relocating to Wiltshire from Germany.
Are you a soldier? Do you have a partner or family member in the armed forces? Are you worried about their security? You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
