Gateshead cadets' violent-threat suspects identified
Two men suspected of violently threatening female Territorial Army cadets on Tyneside have been identified by police.
Threats to the two victims are thought to have been "graphic and nasty" and included a comment about beheading.
Police were called to Alexandra Road, at about 21:15 GMT on 21 January.
Officers initially believed the men were black or Asian but now say they are Romanian and are thought to have left the UK.
Northumbria Police said inquiries were ongoing with Interpol.
Supt Richie Jackson said: "We have identified the two men from the Zafira and we now know they are Romanian nationals who were visiting the area at the time of the incident and not Asian males as first described.
"The two men have since left the country and enquiries are ongoing with Interpol to locate them and speak to them.
"We believe this was an isolated and opportunist incident where the two men have shouted inappropriate comments from their car window at two girls who were walking in the street.
"What they have done has caused a lot of concern to the victims and to the wider community and we are doing all we can to locate these two men and speak to them about their actions."
It is understood the teenagers were not in uniform at the time of the incident and that the suspects asked them "Are you in the Army?" before issuing the threats.
Police said the men did not attempt to make physical contact with the girls or get out of the car, and shouted the comments as they drove away.