Elite royal protection officers investigated over 'missing weapons' 

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Elite royal protection officers investigated over \'missing weapons\'

Members of Scotland Yard\'s SO14 unit face inquiry after claims that items confiscated from visitors to Buckingham Palace were \'mishandled\'

Four police officers from the SO14 Protection Command are facing an inquiry and one sergeant has been placed on restrictive duties. Photo: PA

Elite armed police officers trained to protect the Royal Family are being investigated over claims that items confiscated from Buckingham Palace visitors have been “mishandled”.

Four police officers from the SO14 Protection Command are facing an inquiry and one sergeant has been placed on restrictive duties.

The claims centre on items confiscated from tourists and other visitors to the Queen’s London home, which are then placed in “weapons disposal bins”.

Senior officers have distanced themselves from allegations that items missing from the bins had appeared on eBay, the online auction site, according to the

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Officers from the Directorate or Professional Standards are investigating an allegation of mishandling of property from the weapons disposal bin by SO14 officers.

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"Four officers, three sergeants and one Pc, are the subject of the Directorate of Professional Standards investigations."

None of the officers being investigated was arrested or suspended, the spokesman said.

Small knives and scissors are among items which must be checked in on a visitor\'s arrival at the palace and can be reclaimed on departure, according to the Royal Collection Trust website.

However, many visitors forget to collect the confiscated items on their way out.

Visitors must undergo airport-style security checks to ensure firearms, knives, blades or other weapons are not taken inside the security zone at the Palace, which is opened to tourists during the summer months.

Twenty members of the Royal family are guarded by SO14’s “close protection” experts who receive specialist training in firearms and unarmed combat.

Last year the Duke of York was involved in a stand-off with SO14 officers who failed to recognise him as he took a walk in the palace gardens.

He was reported to have angrily asked them “Do you know who I am?” after armed officers – who were on high alert after an intruder alert 48 hours earlier - ordered him to put his hands above his head.

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