Mike Tindall backs military message to help public stay safe on MOD land this Easter
Rugby ace Mike Tindall has experienced a day in the life of the Armed Forces as part of a Ministry of Defence (MOD) safety initiative to help keep the public safe when accessing military land.
Mike Tindall experiencing the challenges of Salisbury Plain Training Area from a Warrior vehicle, Crown Copyright MOD 2023.
New video content features the former rugby union star exploring a military training area in a Warrior vehicle, experiencing first-hand the challenges that come with the territory. Through the footage, Tindall learns about the very-real risks associated with accessing these military training areas and how the public can take simple actions to stay safe.
Ahead of the Easter holidays, the MOD is urging holidaymakers and locals to take extra care and check military firing times to keep themselves and others safe whilst accessing MOD sites that are accessible to the public.
This comes as part of Respect the Range, a campaign designed to raise the public’s awareness and understanding of the risks to personal safety when using military land. Risks include live firing, unexploded ordnance and fast-moving military vehicles.
The MOD has set out to increase awareness of these risks, paying particular attention to any holidaymakers or day-trippers heading to British natural beauty hotspots this Easter.
There are multiple training areas spread across the UK, but this phase of the Respect the Range campaign specifically targets: Aldershot, Donna Nook, Barry Buddon, Lydd & Hythe, Lulworth, Holbeach and Salisbury Plain.
To ensure the public stay safe and protected while using military land, the MOD is encouraging visitors to:
- Always check training and live firing times before they travel;
- Stick to public access paths;
- Observe safety information including red flags, fences, signs and by-laws while on military land.
Rugby ace Mike Tindall experiencing a day in the life of the Armed Forces, Crown Copyright MOD 2023.
Following his day experiencing a military training area, Mike Tindall is encouraging the public to take heed of the MOD’s advice:
Like most, I love the great outdoors and will be making the most of the beautiful British countryside this Easter. If, like me, you’re planning some time out and about with the family over the coming weeks, make sure to follow the MOD’s guidance to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe.
It was a real eye-opener to see first-hand how quickly military land can change from calm to combat, suddenly posing huge safety risks to anyone passing through. It’s vital that everyone – from locals to holidaymakers – visiting these sites know how and when to access military land safely. I know now that it involves much more than simply closing a gate behind us, and we must follow the public safety advice to enjoy these spots of natural beauty harm-free.
Lieutenant Colonel Vance Worsley, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) Commandant and Senior Training Officer for Salisbury Plain Training Area, said:
Our military training estates can go from tranquil to treacherous at any point. With the Easter holidays upon us, it’s a key time for the public to be aware of the potential risks when accessing these sites, as well as actions they can take to keep both themselves and our troops safe.
The training areas sit within some of the most picturesque parts of the British countryside. Visitors are welcome, but we ask that people only access the sites when and where it is safe to do so. We are reminding people not to cross into areas that are prohibited, to stick to public paths and always check live firing times before visiting.
If we all work together to use these spaces with respect and consideration, the public will stay safe, and our Armed Forces will be protected during their important training exercises.
For more information on how to access MOD land safely, visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/safe-access
Respect The Range – Mike Tindall visits Salisbury Plain Training Area