Flightradar24: App 'could be used to track Prince William in air ambulance'

Warnings that app could present a major security risk

A publicly available app which tracks air travel allows users to follow Prince William as he takes to the skies as an air ambulance pilot, it was claimed last night.

There were warnings that ‘flightradar24’ app, which costs just £2.99 to download, could present a major security risk by providing precise details of his location.

Reporters from the Mail On Sunday used the mobile phone software to see how the Prince could be tracked earlier this week and published photographs of him at work to show how the data had revealed where he had been. Military planes are concealed from the app’s users, but the same protection is not thought to be used for the air emergency services.

The reporters said they received alerts every time his East Anglian Air Ambulance took off on a 999 call and landed.

Dai Davies, the former head of the Met’s Royalty Protection Squad, told the newspaper: “This would give me cause for concern and solutions need to be found by those in charge of the Prince’s security. You always have to be aware of the advance of technology – which this illustrates – and the ability of these terrorist groups to think outside the box. You always, always have to be one step ahead.”

Buckingham Palace and the Metropolitan police, which is responsible for royal protection, has not responded to the claims, nor have the app’s manufacturers. The Bond Aviation Group, which operates the East Anglian Air Ambulances, said it could not comment on security arrangements.