Crimes around royal palaces triple since 2011
Written by News on 13/06/2017
Crimes committed inside the grounds and immediately outside Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace have more than tripled in the past five years, according to figures seen by Sky News.
The statistics were released by The Metropolitan Police in response to a freedom of information request.
The figures show that in 2011, 13 crimes took place within palace grounds and just outside, but by 2016 that number had jumped to 41 offences.
When asked to clarify the types of crimes dealt with, Scotland Yard said: "The vast majority of offences are lower-level crimes such as pickpocketing and criminal damage."
It added: "The palaces have some of the heaviest footfall of all visitor attractions in the capital.
"Including the annual summer opening period, approximately 800,000 visitors and guests access Buckingham Palace alone.
"In 2016, a total of 41 offences were recorded for the two venues. Most of these were reported as taking place in and around Buckingham Palace. This amounts to approximately one crime per 20,000 visitors."
Sky News had requested a breakdown for each incident committed between 2011 and 2016, including the date and type of crime, details of any arrest, the outcome of the case and whether there was a conviction.
The Metropolitan Police said it was unable to disclose all the information, give a breakdown of the types of crimes or detail of where they were carried out because "it would allow interested parties to gain an upper hand and awareness of policing decisions used to safeguard national security".
Dai Davies, a former head of Royal Protection for the Metropolitan Police, who had responsibility for protecting the Royal family and their palaces said: "The Met police have their own views on national security as I do.
"I think there’s a balance in any kind of democracy. When we pay hundreds of millions of pounds in protection I think the public, and you and I, have a right to know how that money is spent."
In recent months Buckingham Palace has been a focus for increased security measures following the terrorist attacks in London and in Manchester.
Roads around the palace are now closed to vehicles for every Changing of the Guard ceremony and there has been a visible increase in the number of uniformed police on duty.
Just 36 hours after the Manchester attack a man was arrested near Buckingham Palace and charged with carrying an offensive weapon.
The full breakdown of the numbers supplied by Scotland Yard show that in 2011 there were 13 crimes committed, in 2012 it went up to 25, in 2013 there was a further rise to 44, in 2014 there were 33 incidents, in 2015 that jumped up to 50 and in 2016 there were 41 crimes committed.
In the statement the Metropolitan police added: "Security and crime prevention at the Royal palaces is performed in partnership by the Met Police Service, Royal Household and the Home Office.
"We continue to work closely together to ensure that security at the Palaces is kept under continual review and tactical deployments made accordingly."
A palace spokesperson said they do not comment on security matters.
(c) Sky News 2017: Crimes around royal palaces triple since 2011
