From the BBC
Public warning after Russian TV crew sparks military alert
7 hours ago
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Image copyrightTIMUR SIRAZIEV/INSTAGRAM
The defence secretary has called on the public to report suspicious activity near military sites after a Russian TV crew prompted an alert at an Army base.
Gavin Williamson issued the warning after Timur Siraziev, of Channel One, was seen outside 77 Brigade's Berkshire base, the Mail on Sunday reported.
The unit works in social media and psychological operations.
An Army source said: "Timur Siraziev's suspicious behaviour was monitored by the base's security systems."
According to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Siraziev was seen with a cameraman repeatedly passing the barracks in Hermitage, Berkshire on the afternoon of 21 November.
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Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "We take the security of our bases and personnel incredibly seriously.
"If a member of the public sees anyone acting suspiciously in or around a military base it should be reported to the police as a matter of urgency."
With UK-Russian relations frosty in the wake of the Salisbury Novichok poisoning, GCHQ chief Jeremy Fleming warned earlier this year that Moscow posed a "real" and "active" threat to the international community.
Last month, the head of the British army, Gen Mark Carleton-Smith, described Russia as a "far greater threat" to UK security than the Islamic State group.
Mr Siraziev is listed on the Russian Embassy's website as Channel One's bureau chief.
When set up in 2015, 77 Brigade was touted as a unit that would help the UK to fight wars in the "information age" by helping to win hearts and minds.
It includes both regular troops and reservists.
Head of the Army at the time, Gen Sir Nick Carter, said the move was about trying to operate "smarter".
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UK Security around bases to be stepped up
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Re: UK Security around bases to be stepped up
I guess that a TV crew would be fairly easy to spot especially outside a military base, but those with sinister intentions would probably make sure that they were not so.
Re: UK Security around bases to be stepped up
" tried to gain entry "" from the online Mail on Sunday, they went to the gate showed his press ID and asked to go in, not much undercover work here
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The alert, which has been leaked to The Mail on Sunday, is marked 'official-sensitive' and warns soldiers that the reporter tried to gain entry to the 77th Brigade's heavily guarded base, Denison Barracks, which is set in dense woodland near the village of Hermitage.
It warns troops not to approach or engage in conversation with him if they are alone but to contact police immediately. British soldiers do not have the same powers of arrest as civilian police officers.
The alert also contains a passport-sized photo of the reporter taken from his media credentials and an image, caught by security cameras, of the Toyota Avensis he was driving, along with the car's registration plates.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
The alert, which has been leaked to The Mail on Sunday, is marked 'official-sensitive' and warns soldiers that the reporter tried to gain entry to the 77th Brigade's heavily guarded base, Denison Barracks, which is set in dense woodland near the village of Hermitage.
It warns troops not to approach or engage in conversation with him if they are alone but to contact police immediately. British soldiers do not have the same powers of arrest as civilian police officers.
The alert also contains a passport-sized photo of the reporter taken from his media credentials and an image, caught by security cameras, of the Toyota Avensis he was driving, along with the car's registration plates.
Re: UK Security around bases to be stepped up
When read in full both the BBC and Mail on Sunday dramatize the incident as spying, rather explaining that the Russian media team failed to follow the correct procedure. Instead, they used their usual style of approaching a guardroom with a request for a media interview. As is normal practice it was refused. In doing so they made their film report more dramatic to cause more attention to them self. Which they have achieved.
P.
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Re: UK Security around bases to be stepped up
Bid rich that the BBC are running with this! Something they do in several countries themselves, just like in this incident, to get a story!
Arabest,
Geoff.
Arabest,
Geoff.
Re: UK Security around bases to be stepped up
Obviously never went there as part of their research either - live about 3 miles from the place! The only part they got right is 'near the village of Hermitage' but thats to be expected
Re: UK Security around bases to be stepped up
Yep used to live just down the road as well, not exactly accurate reporting, maybe the media team were lost & asking for directions to Salisbury