£6,000 worth of VIAGRA and anti-smoking pills among items stolen from military bases

  • Equipment worth thousands stolen from barracks
  • Other items stolen include a pair of badminton nets and a £500 karaoke rig

By Sean O'hare

Published: | Updated:


Viagra

Stolen: The batch of Viagra was stolen from Norfolk's RAF Marham

Viagra is among an array of items that have been stolen from military bases.

A quantity of anti-smoking drug Champix was also taken from RAF Marham, Norfolk, according to figures released after a Freedom of Information request.

MPs have said they would be urgently raising the subject of military security with ministers following the thefts.

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman said: 'After the glorious homecoming of our troops to Dereham last week, it's very sad to think that our soldiers are returning to confront criminality here at home.

'I'm confident that our armed forces will be putting in place the necessary measures, particularly at Swanton Morley, in my constituency, to prevent this sort of theft.

'But I'll be talking to ministers to ask what can be done to support them'.

Other items stolen at Ministry of Defence bases across the county include computers, a karaoke rig and a senior officer's tent.

South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss said she would also be discussing the problem with MoD bosses.

Ms Truss said: 'I am extremely concerned that thefts have taken place. I will certainly be seeking assurances from the Ministry of Defence that sufficient security measures are in place at the base'.

RAF Marham said it had passed a request for a comment on the thefts to the MoD.

RAF MARHAM

A quantity of anti-smoking drug Champix and Viagra was taken from RAF Marham, Norfolk, according to figures released after a Freedom of Information request

Details of the thefts were disclosed by the MoD's Defence Fraud Analysis Unit in response to an FOI request.

The missing military items

  • £6,000 of Viagra and anti-smoking drug Champix  

  • £500 Karaoke rig

  • Four computers worth £4,000

  • A hot water tank

  • Night vision goggles

  • Senior officer's tent

  • Set of badminton nets

  • Gym equipment

  • First aid kit

Four computers worth £1,200 and a first aid kit were also taken from RAF Marham, the MoD said.

Items stolen elsewhere in Norfolk over the last five years include electronic jamming kit, night vision goggles, a senior officer's tent, a hot water tank, a set of badminton nets and a £500 karaoke rig.

The MoD said the catalogue included only items where investigations had been closed, as disclosing details of ongoing cases could threaten live inquiries.

A defence spokesman said: 'The MoD takes the loss or theft of equipment very seriously and works hard to detect and deter theft.

'There are robust processes in place to raise awareness of the need for vigilance in all aspects of security and we actively encourage individuals to report loss or theft.

'This work has resulted in a rise in the number of reports over the last year.

'Where theft does occur and a suspect is identified, prosecution or internal disciplinary action will follow as appropriate'.

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