DIO Salisbury Plain receives vehicles to reduce illegal incursions

The staff of Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) on Salisbury Plain has received vehicles to control illegal incursions on the training area.

These newly issued 4×4 vehicles will be used later this month at Operation Aston, which is conducted to  bring awareness among people on the impact their actions would have on the Plain and to dissuade them from taking part in illegal, dangerous and damaging activities.

Operation Aston is jointly conducted by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Wiltshire Police and the Royal Military Police.

The vehicles are a part of a project to cut down the number of illegal incursions taking place on the Plain so that it remains a safe place for the military to train.

Furthermore, the introduction of these new vehicles will make staff more visible and to standardise vehicle livery in the MOD.

DIO Salisbury Plain training area (SPTA) senior training safety officer Lt Col Stewart Andrews said: “The impact that illegal incursions have on the training estate is huge. Not only does it cause environmental damage, but it can disrupt planned military training activities which can impact on the MOD’s operational capability and readiness.

“We take our responsibility for public safety seriously and we want people to enjoy the Plain, but it can be a dangerous place if you don’t follow the rules.

“We’re hoping that the newly branded vehicles will stand out on the Plain and act as a deterrent, helping us in our attempts to better monitor activity on the Plain and educate people about what they can and can’t do.”

Besides the new vehicles, DIO staff on Salisbury Plain has been given hi-vis vests and body cameras, which will help to control aggression against staff and to record illegal activity so that repeat offenders can be identified and evidence for prosecutions can be provided.