Warning over criminals in forces

Gangs of criminals must be stopped from recruiting members of the British armed forces, a report has said.

The Army, Royal Navy and RAF made "ideal recruiting grounds" for organised crime, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary said in the report.

Overseas postings, particularly in places where guns and drugs were readily available made servicemen and women an "attractive target".

Inspectors also examined how the military dealt with rape cases.

A large number were committed in Germany last year and inspectors said it was important DNA evidence was shared with local police.

Their report comes a day after it was revealed that 10 soldiers in Iraq had been investigated over illegal guns.

Criminal activity

The report on criminal recruitment arose out of the inspectorate's examination of the Royal Military Police's Special Investigations Branch (SIB). It found that the SIB, which requested the inspection, was competent to investigate serious crimes.

But it did advocate work to ensure activity by organised criminals was detected.

"Should there be any large-scale criminal activity, it could do serious harm to UK and other communities and damage the reputation of the military," inspectors said.

"The very nature of military deployments, particularly but not exclusively overseas postings, potentially makes them ideal recruiting grounds for serious and organised criminal enterprises.

"Military personnel often travel internationally, have access to official transport, and apparently receive less scrutiny at border controls than perhaps would be the case if they did not have the identification documents relating to their position.

"The vast majority of serving personnel and their families pursue a legitimate and rewarding career, but while the full nature and extent of serious and organised crime remains unclear, the actual numbers of offences are unknown."

Rape allegations

The inspectors said comprehensive plans would need to be drawn up to guard against infiltration by criminals, and recommended military police should share DNA and other evidence with local police forces.

A number of rapes in Germany last year might have been committed by serial attackers "committing offences both within and outside the military environment", the report said.

Armed forces minister Adam Ingram gave his backing to the report and said its advice was already being acted on.

Its publication came a day after it was reported that members of the 3rd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, were at the centre of a gun smuggling inquiry.