Two intruders nearly foiled Prince Charles's tight security as they attempted a break-in at his Highgrove estate, it was revealed on Thursday.
British newspaper The Sun reports that royal bodyguards rushed to snag the two masked burglars, who were seen on CCTV trying to enter the butlers' cottages on the edge of the grounds.
Immediate measures were taken to capture the pair, who managed to escape. Heat-seeking cameras and spotlights pierced the darkness while police helicopters hovered over the grounds of the estate and the nearby town of Tetbury. However, attempts to find the raiders were to no avail.
Police are reviewing the Prince's security systems in light of the incident, though they don't believe the heir to the throne, who was home at the time, was in any immediate danger. "The intruders were some distance from the main house," said a police source. "We are satisfied there was no threat to the Prince."
In addition to a massive network of CCTV cameras, the estate is currently protected by a sophisticated alarm system – scaling the walls of the grounds triggers an alert – pressure-sensitive motion detection pads and a 24-hour foot patrol by the Royal Protection Squad. The two burglars apparently crossed open fields on foot to gain access to the property before they were spotted by cameras.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
