Andrew wants taxpayer-funded security after confrontation with balaclava-clad man

By Martin Evans, Victoria Ward, Tom Parry

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor wants his taxpayer-funded security detail reinstated after he was allegedly threatened by a balaclava-clad man close to his new Norfolk home, The Telegraph can reveal.

The former Duke of York was approached by a man, who was allegedly in possession of a crowbar, while walking his dogs on Wednesday evening.

Though unhurt, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was said to have been left shaken by the incident.

Police later arrested Alex Jenkinson, 39, on suspicion of a public order offence and possession of an offensive weapon.

Friends said it highlighted the ongoing issue about the long-term safety of the King's brother following revelations about his links to Jeffrey Epstein, the late paedophile.

The King withdrew his younger brother's personal allowance and private security provision in 2024 as he attempted to force his removal from Royal Lodge, in Windsor, in the wake of the scandal.

A source close to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has called for the security provision to be reviewed because of the risk to his safety.

Crowbar 'recovered from suspect's vehicle'

The former prince was approached by a masked man while out for a stroll on Wednesday evening near the Sandringham Estate.

The Telegraph understands the man had been sitting in his car on a remote lane when he saw Mr Mountbatten-Windsor.

The man stepped out of the vehicle and made his way towards Mr Mountbatten-Windsor. It is not clear whether he had been waiting for him.

The man was allegedly shouting and acting in an intimidating way. It is believed a crowbar was recovered from his vehicle.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who was accompanied by a member of his private security detail, quickly made his way to his own car, which was parked nearby, and drove away at speed as the suspect allegedly tried to sprint after him.

Norfolk Constabulary was alerted and officers attended the scene, where they arrested a suspect and took him for questioning.

Mr Jenkinson was charged on Thursday night and will appear from custody at Norwich Magistrates Court on Friday morning.

A force spokesman said: "Officers were called shortly after 7.30pm yesterday [May 6] following a report a man was behaving in an intimidating manner in the village.

"Officers attended, and the man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and possession of an offensive weapon."

"He was taken to King's Lynn police investigation centre for questioning."

"Alex Jenkinson, aged 39 and of Stowmarket, Suffolk has since been charged with two counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to harass someone or cause alarm or distress and failing to provide a specimen of blood in custody.

"He has been remanded into custody and is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates Court tomorrow."

The incident happened close to Marsh Farm, the property on the Sandringham Estate to which Mr Mountbatten-Windsor relocated after leaving Royal Lodge last year.

It is understood that both the former prince and his privately funded personal protection officer gave statements to Norfolk Constabulary following the incident.

It will inevitably raise questions about his security arrangements since having his royal titles removed and relocating to the rural property this year.

One source close to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor said: "Even though Andrew is no longer a working member of the Royal family, the threat to his personal safety is greater than ever."

"In fact, it could be argued that he is actually more at risk, not only from a potential terror attack but also from individuals who have become fixated due to all of the coverage he has attracted over recent years."

This incident clearly demonstrates why his security provisions need to be appropriate for someone with such a high profile.

"There should be a review, which gives proper consideration to Andrew in the light of what has happened."

Security has been a critical concern for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor since he agreed to vacate Royal Lodge and relocate to the Sandringham estate last year.

The Norfolk estate is largely open to the public and affords the former duke none of the protections he enjoyed when within the wider royal security cordon at Windsor.

At the beginning of April, a man and a woman reportedly scaled the exterior gate at Marsh Farm and were seen standing on wooden barriers as they peered over a fence in front of the farmhouse.

They drove off when Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's security detail reacted.

The disgraced royal is said to have erected a substantial white mobile home in the grounds of his new Norfolk residence as temporary accommodation for security staff.

Earlier this year, workmen installed a 6ft perimeter fence and CCTV cameras to enhance security and privacy at the property.

A no-fly zone covering the Sandringham estate was also extended to encompass Marsh Farm.

Security arrangements for non-working royals have become a topic of much debate in recent years.

The Duke of Sussex is awaiting the outcome of a review into his own security arrangements, which the Home Office ordered in December.

The decision to grant him a full risk assessment marked a major U-turn by the Government.

It was made despite the Duke's defeat in a high-profile legal challenge brought against the Home Office over his right to automatic taxpayer-funded protection.

After losing his appeal, the Duke wrote to Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, hopeful that she would take a different approach to Yvette Cooper, her predecessor.

A security review by the Risk Management Board, the expert body that submits its findings to the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), the secretive committee responsible for making such decisions, is underway.

Ravec's decision will end a lengthy row that has caused considerable friction with his father, the King.

The Duke has long argued that the risk he faces was inherited at birth and, if anything, has only increased since he moved to the US.

He has refused to bring his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and children back to the UK without full police protection, fearing their lives are at risk.

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