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Hundreds of unpunished crimes at UK royal palaces

Royal Palaces - Level 4

People think London's royal palaces might have tight security. However, statistics show that in the past three years, 470 crimes have taken place near them. Most of these have gone unpunished. London's police said the offences took place at Buckingham Palace and other palaces between 2019 and 2021. The crimes included arson, theft, robbery, and violence. In less than one per cent of the crimes, no one was cautioned, fined or charged.

A former head of the UK's royal protection service said this was "frightening". He questioned what the statistics said about the current security. He said he'd be worried if, "these offences have an impact on the personal safety of the royals". London's police said it was responsible for the security of royal palaces, but would not comment on such matters. It said most of the offences were thefts. It added the police always "pursue all viable...lines of enquiry".

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Royal Palaces - Level 5

People think the security measures at London's royal palaces are incredibly tight. However, new statistics have revealed that in the past three years, hundreds of crimes have taken place at royal households. Most of these have gone unpunished. London's police force said 470 offences were recorded at Buckingham Palace and other palaces between 2019 and 2021. The crimes included arson, theft, drugs possession, robbery, and violence against people. In less than one per cent of the crimes, no one was cautioned, fined or charged.

A former head of the UK's royal protection service said the number of crimes was "frightening". He said: "If you can steal or cause incidents...near the royals, what does that say about the current security? If these offences have an impact on the personal safety of the royals, that would give me great concern." London's police said while it was responsible for security in and around royal palaces, it would not comment on such matters. It said most offences committed near the palaces were thefts. It added it would always "pursue all viable and proportionate lines of enquiry".

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Royal Palaces - Level 6

People would expect the highest of security measures at London's royal palaces. However, an "astonishing" statistic recently released revealed that in the past three years, hundreds of crimes have taken place in or near royal households, with the majority going unpunished. London's Metropolitan Police reported that 470 offences were recorded at Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, St James' Palace and Clarence House between 2019 and 2021. The latter abode is home to Charles, Prince of Wales, who is heir to the British throne. The crimes included arson, theft, drugs possession, robbery, and violence against a person. Less than one per cent of the crimes led to anyone being cautioned, fined or charged.

Dai Davies, a former Head of Royal Protection, said the number of crimes reported was "frightening". He told Britain's Sky News: "If you can steal or cause incidents at or near the royals, what does that say about the current security? If these offences have an impact on the personal safety of the royals, that would give me great concern." The Metropolitan Police replied: "The Met has responsibility for security in and around the royal palaces, but we will not comment on matters relating to security." It added: "The majority of offences committed at or within the vicinity of the palaces were thefts. Officers will always endeavour to pursue all viable and proportionate lines of enquiry."

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