Prince Harry targeted in Battersea mugging drama
PRINCE Harry has not been mugged. He has, though, been involved in what the Mail calls a “mugging drama”.
The Mail says Prince Harry was on the phone to Thomas van Straubenzee when the man with a name like a prescription upper had his BlackBerry stolen.
The Mail says “police records” confirm the story.
Phew! At least the trusty Mail isn’t hacking Royal phones like the News of The World did. It’s just relying on a police insider to pick up the phone and them everything.
The Mail then tells us that Harry raced to the scene, accompanied by a protection officer, and “circled the streets of Battersea” (in an Apache helicopter?) looking for van Straubenzee. No joy. So Harry headed to the nearest police station where he found Mr van Straubenzee reporting the crime. There, Harry gave a police statement.
The Mail reminds readers what momentous thing this is:
It is believed to be the first time a senior Royal has walked into a police station to report a crime.
All true. Prince Charles was carried on a sedan chair, Prince Andrew has never been caught and King Edward VIII preferred it that the police station came to him.
A police spokesman tells us:
“Police are investigating an allegation of personal robbery which occurred at approximately 8.30pm on Wednesday, November 30, in Albert Bridge Road, SW11. A mobile phone was taken during the robbery. This allegation was taken seriously, as are all allegations of robbery. A man was arrested on Thursday, December 1 on suspicion of robbery and bailed to return in January pending further inquiries. Police from Wandsworth are investigating.”
The voice of the Force makes no mention of Prince Harry being a witness. The fear is that the copper who squealed to the tabloids has placed Harry in danger. Will the mugger’s pals now come for Harry?
The Mail speaks with a “source” at Clarence House:
“Prince Harry made his way to the station and by the time he arrived the police had already enacted a number of operational procedures, which involved very swift action and the kind of scenes you see on The Bill. Both the Prince and his friend were very grateful to the police for how they handled it.”
Minds turn to Season 24, Episode 5 of ITV’s The Bill, the show called Witness: Innocent Blood. As we say, Harry could be in danger. As the paper adds:
In February, Niall Hall, a former aide to the Queen Mother, was carjacked and kidnapped by a gang who stripped him naked and ran knives along his body.
And on hearing that Harry buys two Blackberry phones and heads out into the night. If nothing happens, he can always go back to that club in Berwick Street…
Posted: 18th, December 2011 | In: Royal Family Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
