Britain's most elite soldiers have been drafted in to help beef up royal security, after a gatecrasher walked into Prince William's 21st birthday party virtually unhindered. Under a new plan to prevent any further breaches, officers from the legendary SAS will stage mock break-ins at palaces in order to keep police officers on their toes.
The move comes after comedian Aaron Barschak deceived officers guarding Wills' birthday by simply pretending to be a guest. Metropolitan Police Commissioner John Stevens said the plan was drawn up after a preliminary report into Barshak's antics was delivered to Home Secretary David Blunkett.
It has also been revealed that around 40 royal protection officers guarding Windsor Castle are to be transferred. "It is clear that working on the Royal Protection group is seen as easy street," said a source at Scotland Yard. "It has bred complacency and staleness. We need people to be on their toes. The first thing that will happen is a phased clear-out of all the police staff working at Windsor."
And royal gardeners have meanwhile been cutting back tree branches overhanging the walls of the castle. Police are checking every tree around the perimeter after Barschak used a conifer to get over a 15-foot wall.
"The joke is that someone had to get the chop," said a source at the Castle. "And with all the logs that are piling up, we reckon it's obviously the special branch."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
