Detectives investigating an alleged attempt to kidnap an RAF serviceman believe one of the suspects may have a visible facial injury after revealing the victim headbutted and punched him to the ground.
The serviceman, in his late 20s, was jogging near RAF Marham in Norfolk on Wednesday when two men described as “Middle Eastern” in appearance sprang from a dark-coloured Ford Galaxy and tried to drag him into the vehicle at knifepoint.
The victim managed to fight off one attacker but did not cause him to bleed, contrary to some reports, Norfolk police have said. However, the main suspect may have swelling and bruising around his eye socket after he was headbutted and punched by the serviceman.
Det Supt Paul Durham, from the Norfolk and Suffolk major investigation team, who is leading the inquiry, said: “The victim managed to fight off his attacker and headbutted him, we believe around the eye socket, so it is possible he suffered swelling and bruising in this area.
“He was then punched, which caused him to fall to the ground. Clearly the extent of his injuries is unknown, however, we do not believe either attack caused the suspect to bleed, contrary to reports circulating in the media.
“If you know someone who matches the description of our suspect, who has a similar injury, then I would urge you to contact my officers.”
On Saturday, Norfolk police said it is increasingly likely the two men involved in the alleged kidnap attempt were part of a larger team and there could have been more than two men in the car.
Police have appealed for dashboard camera footage recorded by drivers in the Marham or King’s Lynn areas and also asked shoppers at a nearby Costcutter store to come forward after CCTV revealed a number of people used the store at the time of the botched kidnapping.
Detectives previously said they could not rule out terrorism as a motive and launched dedicated hotlines for anyone with information.
As the serviceman knocked one of the alleged assailants to the ground, the second man reportedly climbed out of the car wielding a 3in blade. As he went to help his companion, the victim ran away.
Police released descriptions of the suspects. The first man was between 20 and 30, approximately 6ft tall, of athletic but stocky build, with dark hair, which was long on top, and had a well-groomed beard. He was of Middle Eastern origin in appearance with a dark skin tone and wore dark casual clothing.
The second was between 20 and 30 years old but younger than the first suspect and of slimmer build. He was approximately 5ft 10in, clean shaven with short dark hair. He was also of Middle Eastern origin in appearance and wore a white T-shirt and dark shorts.
RAF Marham is home to four Tornado squadrons that have played a key role in the bombing campaign in Iraq and Syria. From 2018, the base will also house the F-35 Lightning II jet.
