I used to be a serviceman.
How does one know if the old bag making a pain in the ass of herself is the extent of the problem, and a sharp word at the WI will cure it, or whether she/they are a diversion for something more serious?
One doesn't know. Maybe strip-searching is a little too far, but assuming that it was a relatively innocent protest is a pretty big assumption to have made when it has all gone tits up.