Rare security breach reported at Tower of London
LONDON (AP) - A rare security breach has been reported at the Tower of London, one of the British capital's most famous landmarks.
Authorities say the Crown Jewels and other unique artifacts are safe but that locks had to be changed after an intruder broke in and stole some keys.
Officials said Monday the keys were stolen from a sentry box at the site. They would have provided access to the Tower's drawbridges and some other areas.
Authorities say the keys were stolen last Tuesday and a police investigation into the theft is under way.
A Historic Royal Palaces statement said security procedures had not been properly followed.
The Tower is guarded by Yeoman Warders, commonly known as Beefeaters.
Authorities say the Crown Jewels and other unique artifacts are safe but that locks had to be changed after an intruder broke in and stole some keys.
Officials said Monday the keys were stolen from a sentry box at the site. They would have provided access to the Tower's drawbridges and some other areas.
Authorities say the keys were stolen last Tuesday and a police investigation into the theft is under way.
A Historic Royal Palaces statement said security procedures had not been properly followed.
The Tower is guarded by Yeoman Warders, commonly known as Beefeaters.
Couldn't find any more recent file photo of the Tower of London than 2007?
 @jpk Probably hasn't changed much.
They probably are keeping the keys as "Trophies"
They were probably out to steal the ravens:
"If the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravens_of_the_Tower_of_London
 @notgatt Interesting that I did not know. so what happens if the crown does fall?
 @lee986321  @notgatt I don't know, but it can't be good.
 @lee986321 It breaks...and Jill comes tumbling after.
Here is one of the people that guard the Tower of London.
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http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Yeoman.warder.toweroflondon.arp.jpg
Good Lord, he looks older than either of us!!!
 @BrownknightÂ
Have you looked in the mirror lately??? 8-}
 @RalphCramden That's just one of their tour guides, Ralph.
The British Army is actually responsible for the security of the British Crown Jewels.
 @MikeyÂ
"The Tower is guarded by Yeoman Warders, commonly known as Beefeaters."
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That is one of the actual getups that Yeoman Warders wear. It is an honorary position for the most part but part of the requirement is that they are all ex military with at least 22 years of duty and are NCO's. There are 37 of them.
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They really do guard the Tower of London.
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If the place were to get robbed they would call the police.
@RalphCramden @Mikey the Beefeaters would call the armed sentries around the castle. They are there on duty protecting the ravens and the jewels, but also because the Queen has a residence there although I don't think she ever uses it.
@RalphCramden "People who," Ralphie. Not "people that..."
 @Mechanic Â
Mom, is that you!!!
Could this be the act of a terror group that is searching for a historic target? Seems like nothing is off the table any more in this day and age.Â
@Brownknight I think you are a Glenn Beck fan, right?
@Mechanic in this case there is valid concern. Sort of how the Vietnamese are reported to have launched small probing operations before the Tet Offensive,
Think about it.  If the security people are not considering "worst case scenario" then they are not doing thier job. If you do not think that even pidly-little PDX has already been probed by those with extremist beliefs, you are being naive. I have friends that work at PDX and know multiple intentional breaches have been made to test it. The Tower is a significant landmark of the monarchy and has two million visitors a year. One of the top ten places to visit in England. They hold religious services there. Thousands of nooks and crannies.Â
@gofigure @Brownknight according to sources I don't want to talk about (LEO) there are "cells" trying to operate in the area but they sound pretty amateurish and disorganized.
It was "intentional" breaches. Subjects who would make entry into areas of the airport they had no business in and then flee when confronted or claim stupidity and be quick to accuse of being discriminated against because of nationality and religion. One pair that was confronted claimed first they were there to meet someone. Could not come up with a name, flight number or city of origin. The staff was convinced that these were probes to test security and look for weaknesses. Look up this guy; Abu Hamza al-Masri. Interesting that he has ties to London and Oregon.Â
 @Brownknight This would never have occurred to me, but I think you make an excellent point. Am SO curious about the "multiple international breaches." Is this something you can shed more light upon? Or direct us where to investigate further on our own? I want to be informed, not naive! Being from much bigger cities, Portland practically seems like a hamlet to me; I really never would have thought that we'd be on the terrorist radar here.Â