Queen protected by new ‘Pitagone’ anti-terror barriers

SPECIAL anti-terror barricades have now been placed around the Queen's residence in Sandringham - which are capable of stopping a bomb-laden truck.

The state-of-the-art barriers have been erected on the four roads which lead to the Royal estate where the Monarch is staying in the run up to New Year.

The three-foot-high modular barriers can very quickly be moved across the roads by cops to prevent rogue vehicles getting onto the Royal estate.

They have been designed by Belgium company, Pitagone, which specialises in threat management and anti-terror security, and can stop trucks weighing up to 7.5 tonnes travelling at up to 30mph.

The special barriers are fully adjustable and can be used on all types of terrain and, because of their modular design, they can be built very quickly.

They were in place today as the Queen and other members of the Royal family attended the weekly Sunday service at Mary Magdalene Church on her estate.

ISIS has used vehicles in deadly rampages over the past few years, with attacks in the UK, US, France, Spain, Germany and Sweden.

Police were today waiting at each of the four roads, with the barriers blocking half the road, ready to be moved if needed.

Cars bringing well-wishers hoping to catch a glimpse of the Queen had to pass through barriers at checkpoints manned by armed police in a clear escalation of security.

It is believed officers were also equipped with stinger devices to lay across the road and puncture the tyres of any vehicles which did not stop when demanded to.

The extra precautions which have not been seem at Sandringham in previous years are thought to have been brought in over fears of a potential terrorist attack on the 20,000 acre estate in Norfolk.

It is believed that the barriers were set up in the morning on four roads approaching 16th century St Mary Magdalene church.

An estimated 3,000 people watched the Queen arrive for the morning service, accompanied by a lady in waiting in her maroon-coloured Bentley.

The crowd was one of the biggest ever seen at a Sunday church service with many people admitting that they had hoped to see The Duchess of Sussex or the Duchess of Cambridge.

The Queen who was wearing a vibrant coloured cerise coat with a matching hat.

Princess Anne and her husband Tim Laurence walked 400 yards to the church through the grounds along with Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex and their 15-year-old daughter Lady Louise.

But for the third consecutive church service at Sandringham, there was no sign of 97-year-old Prince Philip, raising fears that he might be becoming increasingly frail.

The prince also failed to attend church last Sunday and on Christmas Day and travelled by car to Sandringham instead of joining the Queen on the train at the start of her Christmas break.

Buckingham Palace refused to comment on his non attendance, pointing out that he was officially retired from Royal duties.

But a Royal source said: “We are not providing a running commentary. There are no particular health concerns about him. You will see him when you see him.”

Prayers were said at the service for world peace as well as for the Queen and the Royal family “to be imbued with the Holy Spirit and enriched with heavenly Grace”.

The Bishop of Norwich, the Right Rev Graham James who is retiring in the New Year, gave a sermon, comparing people and churches being busy at Christmas with the importance of people spending time with their families.

The Queen smiled and waved at well wishers before being driven away from the church.

Police also carried out routine security checks on the crowd, searching the bags of everyone entering the paddock area beside the church and scanning them to make sure they were not carrying any weapons.

Officers with sniffer dogs carried on patrolling while the service was taking place.

Norfolk Police refused to comment about the reason for the road checkpoint barriers