Break-in at the palace: security review launched
A man is arrested after scaling a 12 foot fence and breaking into the palace, in one of the most serious security breaches in over 30 years.
Police said that the suspected burglar was found in one of the state rooms that are open to the public during the day, and arrested for suspected burglary, trespass and criminal damage.
A second man was also arrested outside the palace for conspiracy to commit burglary.
None of the Royal family were at the palace at the time of the break-in, which happened on Monday at 10.30pm. The Queen has been spending her summer break at Balmoral Castle since the beginning of August and is not expected to return to the palace until October.
Police said a review is now underway after the incident, which would look at current security at the palace.
The break-in is one of the most serious security breaches at the palace since 1982, when Michael Fagan evaded guards to get inside the Queen’s private chambers while she was still in bed.
The 31-year-old spent around 10 minutes talking to the Queen after he climbed over the palace walls and up a drainpipe.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Both men have been bailed to return to a central London police station and enquiries continue.
“A review of the specific circumstances of this incident is being carried out.”