Abuse of uniformed troops to become a crime Abusing troops in uniform will be treated as a criminal offence on a par with a racist attack under a package of Government-backed measures to improve relations between the public and the Armed Forces. By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent 4:54PM BST 19 May 2008 Following a series of incidents in which servicemen and women in uniform have been barred from stores or abused on the streets, a report ordered by the Prime Minister has recommended legislation to outlaw discrimination. The Nation Recognition of our Armed Forces report, written by Quentin Davies, MP, highlighted one incident in which an officer in full dress uniform was refused entrance to Harrods after attending a Remembrance Sunday parade. The store, owned by Mohamed Fayed, has insisted on barring troops in combat fatigues which the report said was "quite unacceptable". Discrimination against members of the military should "not be tolerated", the report said, especially against those who "risk their lives for their country". Mr Davies recommended that assaults or threats of violence against anyone in uniform should be considered an aggravated offence, in a similar way that racism is an aggravating factor in such crimes. Related Articles Bob Ainsworth, the Armed Forces Minister, said the Government was now engaged in discussions about how such a law could be introduced. "We've all heard of the instances of military people being discriminated against," he said. "I do not believe that they are widespread, but I do believe they are