Jan 31, 2007, 13:20 GMT
An intruder armed with a pitchfork was caught outside Britain's Prince Charles' country home yesterday (30.01.07).
The prince and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were asleep inside Highgrove, in Gloucestershire, when the incident took place.
The man came within yards of the country manor in the early hours of yesterday morning before setting off alarms triggered by underground sensors and alerting security officers.
However, the breach of security has caused grave concern.
A former royal protection officer told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "It is concerning that at a time of unprecedented security concerns, an intruder was able to get so close to Highgrove.
"Supposing he was a terrorist with a rucksack full of Semtex? The key question is how did he manage to get so close as he did?"
Police believe the intruder thought the royal couple were still in the US - where the prince received an environmental award at the weekend - and that security had been downgraded.
A police spokesman said: "At 4am a man was arrested for trespass on the Highgrove estate.
"He was detained within the grounds and did not get into any of the buildings.
"He is a 55-year-old man from Bristol."
A royal aide speaking on behalf of Charles and Camilla said: "They were concerned to hear about what had happened but relieved that security measures appear to have been working adequately."
The man has been released on bail until March 26.
(C) BANG Media International
Your Talkback on this Story