INTRUDER AT PRINCE GEORGE SCHOOL
Police arrest 40-year-old woman after incident
AN intruder has sparked a major security scare at Prince George’s school.
A woman, 40, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary. Security expert Chris Phillips said: “It’s very worrying.”
JUST days after Prince George started at his new school security arrangements are having to be reviewed because of an intruder.
A 40-year-old woman was arrested near to the gates yesterday and quizzed on suspicion of attempted burglary, a day after someone got into the school.
A tussle broke out when officers swooped in the street at 2.15pm.
A local restaurant owner said: “I heard the sirens, then saw the police van go toward the school. Police were involved in a scuffle.”
George, four, went to the school on the day the intruder got in but it is not known if he was there at the time of the security breach.
Chris Phillips, former head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, said: “It’s very worrying when you get incidents like this. But don’t forget Buckingham Palace has had a number of break-ins and that is pretty much a fortress.”
George’s armed protection officers are believed to be stationed at the £18,000a-year Thomas’s Battersea school in South West London while he is there.
He was in class yesterday but he is not thought to have been present when the woman was arrested.
William and Kate’s son, third in line to the throne, is due to head back to school today accompanied by his minders.
Scotland Yard revealed last night security is being examined after the scare. The Met said: “We are working with the school... to review its security arrangements after the incident. “Police were alerted and officers attended immediately... “Police are part of the protective security arrangements for the prince and we will continue to work closely with the school, which is responsible for building security on its site.” Former head of royal protection Dai Davies said he believes the risk assessment plan “needs to be looked at”. A Kensington Palace spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the issue but would not comment on matters relating to security.” The breach comes days after claims the school was vulnerable to a terrorist attack after a resident filmed herself wandering the corridors unchallenged. But other locals said security at the school is high. There is a low hedge and an unlocked gate leading on to the school grounds but there is a metal double gate that leads to the reception and visitors have to be buzzed in or use a fob to open it. At any one time a specialist police team are monitoring up to 200 stalkers who could be a threat to Kate and her family. The royals are protected round the clock by a small team of armed protection officers. Previous security breaches include convicted murderer Denis Hennessy scaling the walls of Buckingham Palace in 2016. He was arrested in the grounds.