Army servicemen were 'attacked, verbally abused and harassed' during the Olympics

Army officers have told troops on duty for the Paralympics to travel around in groups after servicemen were "attacked, verbally abused and harassed" during the Olympics.

Army officers and police are investigating a spate of attack on soldiers who were on duty covering the Olympics.

They have now told troops on duty for the Paralympics to travel around in groups after servicemen were attacked, verbally abused and harassed during the Olympics.

In the worst incident a lone off-duty soldier was targeted by four men who abused him for being in the Army and then attacked him close to the temporary base where soldiers were housed in east London.

The soldier was not in uniform, but was targeted by the attackers because he was carrying a military bag.

Police are investigating the attack by four Asian men which took place in the early hours of Monday August 6 close to Tower Hill tube station.

The soldier - one of thousands who was drafted in and housed at nearby Tobacco Dock - was left with two black eyes and was treated by medics at the scene of the attack.

Naval personnel were subjected to abuse and extremist leafleting around HMS Ocean at Greenwich Pier, south London.

Commanders have been told about a spate of attacks on troops during the London games.

As a result they warned the 4,500 soldiers on duty at present at the Paralympics to travel in groups on public transport and avoid any confrontations.

Following the attack near Tobacco Dock, troops have been warned that "a military daysack is just as recognisable as uniform and should not be carried when in civilian clothing".

A military insider said: "It seems there was a spate of attacks on troops during the Olympics.

"None of the chiefs wanted to publicise this but it is a disgrace that people who are doing their jobs in difficult circumstances are abused and attacked like this."

The MoD has refused to reveal how many attacks there have been on service personnel, who were forced to plug gaps in security at London 2012 after G4S failed to recruit enough security staff.

A MOD spokesman said: "Isolated incidents of abuse are disappointing and not representative of the general public's regard for the military's contribution to Games security. As a matter of course, any allegation of abuse is reported to the Metropolitan Police."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police are investigating an allegation of actual bodily harm and wounding, on Monday 6 August.

"It is alleged that a 32-year-old-man was assaulted following a verbal dispute by four men, all aged between 18-20 years, all of whom then made off from the scene.

"The injured man was treated at the scene for cuts and bruising to his face and did not require hospital treatment."

Police have not made any arrests over the attack.