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Statue displays warn of military land dangers

BBC Metal statues, resembling a mixture of members of the public, soldiers and a couple of dogs.BBC
The statues, some which are 10ft high, represent both service personnel and members of the public

Metal statues depicting both soldiers and members of the public have gone on display on Salisbury Plain.

The artwork, near Bratton on the edge of the plain, was commissioned for the Ministry of Defence's Respect the Range campaign, which aims to make people aware of the dangers of going onto military land.

Hundreds of people wander into the vicinity of military training operations on the 94,000 acres of the Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) every year, potentially putting their lives at risk while training exercises take place nearby.

Brig Gavin Hatcher CBE, head of the Defence Training Estate, said: "Military training can take place round-the-clock and MoD land can go from calm to combat at a moment’s notice."

Brigadier Gavin Hatcher CBE in uniform, in front of some of the statues
Brig Gavin Hatcher said it was essential members of the public do not encroach on military training areas.

He added: "By working together, we can ensure the public and our military keep each other safe."

Brig Hatcher said: “At a time of heightened tensions across the globe, war in Europe and conflict in the Middle East, it’s imperative that our military undertake crucial training safely and uninterrupted."

He added after training exercises there was always a risk some munitions were left behind and "so there could be unexploded ordnance on the ground".

Rifleman Izzy O'Malley in uniform, standing in front of the statue modelled on her.
Rifleman Izzy O'Malley in front of a statue which was modelled on her

Rifleman Izzy O’Malley is one of the soldiers on which the military "giants" were modelled.

"I think they're incredible and have such likeness to what we look like," she said.

“We had to stand there for a few hours in different positions, to make sure they got the likeness."

Looking around the site, she added: “This is an army training area.

"Seeing how many civilians there are here, you can see how important it is to be safe for us and for them."

Soldiers standing in front of the statues they inspired
Each of the soldier statues is modelled on a serving soldier

MoD safety guidance

The MoD has issued guidelines to help keep people safe on military land:

  • Look out for red flags and observe all signs and information
  • Check live firing and training times online at gov.uk before visiting a military training area
  • Stick to footpaths, bridleways, by-ways and public rights of way
  • Keep dogs under close control and pick up after them
  • Never touch any military debris and report it for safe removal
Statues representing members of the public who might want to walk on the land. One has a dog, and others have walking poles
Some of the statues represent members of the public, who should not be on military land

Dan Barton, head of charity Standing with Giants, said: “We’re incredibly proud to work with the MoD to promote Respect the Range.

"Our ethos is about honouring and respecting those who have and continue to make the ultimate sacrifice.

"The freedoms we enjoy were hard fought for, and our military need to train to ensure those freedoms remain.”

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