Windsor Castle cops fear they’ve been left like ‘sitting ducks’ as armed officers removed from two main gates

WINDSOR Castle cops fear they have been left “sitting ducks” after armed officers were removed from the public entrances.

There are now no visible gun cops at the two main gates for ­public and tradespeople.

Armed officers are only in view at the front of the ­castle at the Changing of The Guard ceremonies.

It comes as the Met Police faces a shortage of firearms officers with far fewer candidates joining up.

Sources say the decision to remove the armed guards is also to soothe tourists nervous about their presence.

The Royal and VIP Executive Committee has been looking at cutting firearms officers at royal sites and replacing them with cops armed with Tasers and batons, The Sun on ­Sunday has learned.

But unarmed police fear it could lead to deaths such as the fatal stabbing of PC Keith Palmer at Westminster by a terrorist in 2017.

A source said: “Those on the gates feel like unprotected sitting ducks. Batons and Tasers are no match for armed terrorists.”

The Met have armed cops inside the castle perimeter.

Rising remote-controlled bollards have also been installed at the main vehicle entrance.

And King Charles spends most of his time at Balmoral.

But the source said: “There still has to be visible high ­security to deter terrorists.

“By the time firearms officers inside the castle were alerted it would be too late.”

Former Met Police Detective Chief Inspector Mick Neville said: “Police and public alike need to be ­confident if a terrorist attempts to attack an iconic site, they will be met with the full force of the law.”

The Met Police said: “These arrangements are kept under constant review to ensure we take into account the latest threat and risk information.”