Some of the locks at the Tower of London – home to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth’s crown jewels – had to be changed after two sets of keys were stolen from the grounds, red-faced officials said.
Police launched an investigation after an intruder gained access to the site of the historic castle in the early hours of November 6 before stealing the keys.
The keys gave access to the tower’s drawbridges as well as conference rooms and a restaurant, according to a statement from Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that runs the site.
The intruder was stopped and taken off the site, but afterwards it was found that the keys were missing.
A spokeswoman said the Crown Jewels, which include priceless crowns and sceptres used by the queen on ceremonial occasions, were never at risk of being stolen.
“The intruder did not gain access into the tower itself,” the Historic Royal Palaces spokeswoman said.