Our Royalty and VIP Protection Unit is a specialist team with countywide responsibility for the safety and security both for members of the Royal family and other protected persons.

Based at Dersingham, two miles from the Royal Family’s Sandringham Estate, the unit is managed by Chief Inspector Stuart Offord.

The units main functions are:

• Ensuring the security of members of the Royal family and European Royal families as well as other protected persons (such as certain politicians) whilst resident in, or visiting, Norfolk.
• Protection of Royal and protected person’s residences in Norfolk.
• Protection of the public at Royal and VIP events in Norfolk.

We have had responsibility for policing Sandringham since 1939 and work in close partnership with the Home Office, Sandringham Estate, the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk and the Metropolitan Police Royalty and Specialist Protection commands.

The unit’s largest single policing event is the annual Christmas Court at Sandringham although it also co-ordinates policing arrangements during visits to the county by members of Royalty and other protected persons.

Funding for the unit is made by a direct grant from the Home Office which means there is no additional financial pressure on Norfolk council-tax payers.