Royal security scares

1974: Kidnappers try to grab Princess Anne outside Buckingham Palace 1981: Teenager fires six blanks at Queen's horse 1982: Michael Fagan scales Buckingham Palace drainpipe 1994: Demonstrator fires starter pistol at Prince Charles in Sydney 1994: Naked American paraglider Jim Miller lands on Buckingham Palace roof 1995: Man rams Buckingham Palace gates in car 1997: Escaped mental patient breaches Buckingham Palace grounds 1997: Intruder forces Kensington Palace lock next to Diana's living quarters 1999: Forty-year-old man scales Buckingham Palace railings

The first of the Frenchman to climb the walls, drunk after New Year's festivities, was grabbed by two Royal Protection Officers stationed at the palace.

"He did not make it into the grounds and was warned about his behaviour before being released and sent on his way," the spokesman said.

Security at royal residences had already been stepped up after an Australian writer paraglided onto the forecourt of the Queen's central London home Buckingham Palace on 28 December.

Brett de la Mare, 36, was trying to publicise his book Canine Dawn.

He was arrested but released pending further inquiries.

Although the Northern Ireland peace process has reduced fears of a terrorist attack on the Royal Family, there remain concerns about extremists.

In addition, palace security is threatened by the mentally ill.

More than 6,000 mentally unstable people have persistently visited royal palaces or written to the Royal Family over the past six years, according to a police report.

"Security arrangements are constantly reviewed," the police spokesman said.