Airmen have been told to avoid leaving an RAF base in uniform amid fears they could be abused by civilians.
Airmen have been told not to leave an RAF base in uniform to avoid being verbally abused by civilians.
Officers at RAF Wittering fear that residents of nearby Peterborough who oppose UK involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq will taunt servicemen.
Officers at RAF Wittering reported that servicemen have been taunted by people in nearby Peterborough who oppose UK involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Although military staff are encouraged to wear uniform in public, a local decision was made against doing so in the city, the Ministry of Defence said.
Although military staff are encouraged to wear uniform in public, a local decision was made against doing so in the city, the Ministry of Defence said.
The government is investigating as "a matter of urgency".
Cambridgeshire police said they did not know of any abuse reported in the city.
Cambridgeshire police said they did not know of any abuse reported in the city.
A spokesman for RAF Wittering said staff from the base had reported incidents of abuse "up the military chain of command".
But a spokesman for RAF Wittering said staff from the base had reported incidents of abuse "up the military chain of command".
He said acting on advice from RAF police, the station commander had then taken the decision that staff should not wear uniforms off-site.
It is a great shame that some individuals in this community don't respect our forces Des Browne, Defence Secretary
He said acting on advice from RAF police, the station commander had then taken the decision that staff should not wear uniforms off site.
Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "We must defend our forces' right to wear their uniforms in public.
Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "We must defend our forces' right to wear their uniforms in public.
"It is a great shame that some individuals in this community don't respect our forces - who are daily doing a great deal for this nation.
"It is a great shame that some individuals in this community don't respect our forces, who are daily doing a great deal for this nation.
"This is not a situation we should tolerate. We learned about this today and are investigating it as a matter of urgency.
"This is not a situation we should tolerate. We learned about this today and are investigating it as a matter of urgency.
"I hope that by working closely with Peterborough City Council and the local police, service personnel at RAF Wittering will soon be able to wear their uniforms freely about the town with the support of the local people."
"I hope that by working closely with Peterborough City Council and the local police, service personnel at RAF Wittering will soon be able to wear their uniforms freely about the town with the support of the local people."
RAF Wittering was established in 1916 and more than 2,000 servicemen and women are based at the station, which is best-known for housing a fleet of Harrier jump jets.
RAF Wittering was established in 1916 and more than 2,000 servicemen and women are based at the station, which is best-known for housing a fleet of Harrier jump jets.
Air Chief Marshall Sir Glenn Torpy, said: "Whatever people's views are about specific military operations, everyone should be able to recognise the bravery and professionalism of our Armed Forces and respect the difficult job they do."
Air Chief Marshall Sir Glenn Torpy, said: "Whatever people's views are about specific military operations, everyone should be able to recognise the bravery and professionalism of our Armed Forces and respect the difficult job they do."
Are you in the Air force? Do you agree with this decision? Have you been abused for wearing a forces uniform? Do you live near a military base? Should the forces be able to wear their uniform with pride? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below.
Are you in the Air force? Do you agree with this decision? Have you been abused for wearing a forces uniform? Do you live near a military base? Should the forces be able to wear their uniform with pride? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below.
