Man sectioned after being found on Windsor Castle grounds with crossbow on Christmas Day

A 19-year-old man who was arrested within the grounds of Windsor Castle on Christmas Day while in possession of a crossbow has been detained under the Mental Health Act, the Metropolitan Police said.

Officers from Thames Valley Police (TVP) and the Metropolitan Police responded to a security breach on Saturday at around 8.30am within the grounds of the castle in Berkshire, where the Queen is in residence.

Following a search by police, a crossbow was recovered.

The 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of breach or trespass of a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon.

The Queen celebrated Christmas in Windsor this year after cancelling plans to travel to her other residence in Sandringham, Norfolk.

The suspect was not in any buildings on the estate and “security processes were triggered within moments of the man entering the grounds”, police said on Saturday.

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In a follow-up statement, the Met Police said: “The man was taken into custody and has undergone a mental health assessment – he has since been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and remains in the care of medical professionals.

“Inquiries into the full circumstances of this incident are being progressed by Metropolitan Police Specialist Operations.”

The force confirmed security processes were triggered within moments of the man entering the grounds and he did not access any buildings.