Police have started an inquiry after an intruder managed to break in and steal keys from the grounds of the Tower of London.
Officials from the famous landmark admitted they have been forced to change some locks after a set of keys was stolen from a sentry box at the fortress.
Tower chiefs insisted that the crown jewels were never at risk of being stolen but admitted security procedures “were not carried out to the expected standard”.
The keys gave access to the Tower’s drawbridges as well as conference rooms and a restaurant, according to the Historic Royal Palaces which runs the site.
“We can confirm that an incident took place in the Tower environs in the early hours of November 6th and that this is now a police matter, so we are unable to discuss details,” said a royal palaces spokeswoman.
“We have carried out an internal investigation and have concluded that our well-established security systems and procedures . . . were not carried out to the expected standard. A staff disciplinary procedure is under way.” – (PA)