23:10 15 August 2015
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are said to be “upset” that “a small number of paparazzi photographers” for using disturbing tactics to get pictures of their children. They said that long lenses has been used to take pictures of the Duchess and Prince George in private parks.
The communication secretary for Kensington Palace has issued an open letter to the media, which read: "The Duke and Duchess are glad that leaders in the media industry share the view that every child, regardless of their future public role, deserves a safe, happy, and private childhood."
Referring to deeply troubling tactics being used by paparazzi, the letter added: "Every parent would understand their deep unease at only learning they had been followed and watched days later when photographs emerged,"
"In a heightened security environment such tactics are a risk to all involved. The worry is that it will not always be possible to quickly distinguish between someone taking photos and someone intending to do more immediate harm."
The Met Police said: "At a time when the national security threat level from international terrorism is at severe, all officers are at a heightened level of readiness.
"Officers involved in the security of protected people are armed and have to constantly assess security risks.
"Photographers using covert tactics often come to the attention of armed officers who take steps to stop and verify the details of those who raise suspicions.
"Photographers are potentially putting themselves at risk from armed intervention where our armed officers perceive a risk to the personal safety of their principal, the public and themselves."