Editing SIS Building (section)

===Recent history===
[[File:The Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Building, Vauxhall Cross - geograph.org.uk - 5671180.jpg|thumb|The [[Albert Embankment]] elevation during 2018]]In September 2000, [[2000 MI6 attack|the building was attacked]] by unapprehended forces using a Russian-built [[RPG-22]] anti-tank rocket, causing superficial damage.<ref name=BBC00>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/934937.stm|title='Rocket' theory over MI6 blast|date=21 September 2000|publisher=BBC News|access-date=26 December 2013}}</ref> The [[Metropolitan Police]] recovered the discarded rocket launcher at Spring Gardens park in [[Vauxhall]], as well as finding remains of the rocket which had exploded against an eighth floor window.<ref name=Ind00>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/missile-launcher-in-mi6-attack-was-new-to-uk-698787.html|title=Missile launcher in MI6 attack was new to UK|author=Kim Sengupta|date=21 September 2000|work=The Independent|access-date=26 December 2013}}</ref> Dissident [[Irish Republican]]s were believed to have been behind the attack.<ref name=Guard00>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/sep/21/uksecurity|title=MI6 missile attack: Irish dissidents suspected|date=21 September 2000|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 December 2013}}</ref> Writing in ''The Daily Telegraph'' after the attack, journalist [[Alan Judd]] referred to detractors who wished a less visible physical presence for SIS; writing that "Both sides of the Whitehall debate might now claim vindication by the rocket attack: on the one hand, the building's profile made it an obvious target; on the other, a headquarters with expensive security protection has been shown to be necessary."<ref name=TelegSep2400/>

On 1 June 2007, the building and its [[curtilage]] were designated as a protected site for the purposes of Section 128 of the [[Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005]]. The effect of the act was to make it a specific criminal offence for a person to [[Trespass in English law|trespass]] onto the site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trespass-on-protected-sites-sections-128-131-of-the-serious-organised-crime-and-police-act-2005|title=Home Office Circular 018 / 2007 (Trespass on protected sites – sections 128–131 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005)|date=22 May 2007|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Home Office|language=en|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref>

In August 2010, two men from North Wales were arrested after a [[parcel bomb]] was found at the SIS building's postal handling centre.<ref name=Guard10>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/aug/01/men-held-mi6-parcel-bombs|title=Two men held over MI6 and Downing Street parcel bombs|author=James Meikle|date=1 August 2010|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 December 2013}}</ref>

The Queen visited Vauxhall Cross for a second time in February 2006,<ref>"Court Circular", ''The Times'', London, 11 February 2006, pg. 78</ref> and [[Charles, Prince of Wales]] visited in July 2008.<ref>"Court Circular", ''The Times'', London, 9 July 2008, pg. 55.</ref> In June 2013, [[Prince Harry]] visited Vauxhall Cross and was given a briefing on intelligence by staff.<ref name=TelegJun13>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/10105171/Prince-Harry-given-briefing-by-MI6-secret-agents.html|title=Prince Harry given briefing by MI6 secret agents|author= Alice Philipson|date=7 June 2013|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref> During the [[Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant]], part of the celebrations for the [[Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II]] in 2012, the [[London Philharmonic Orchestra]] played the "[[James Bond Theme]]" as they passed the building. ''The Daily Telegraph'' wrote that "Even MI6 managed to join the party – just. Its headquarters at Vauxhall sported a few discreet rows of bunting. But its balconies remained empty."<ref name=TelegJun12>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9309898/The-Queens-Diamond-Jubilee-Flotilla-sails-into-history-books-on-a-river-of-goodwill.html|title=The Queen's Diamond Jubilee: Flotilla sails into history books on a river of goodwill|author=Neil Tweedie|date=4 June 2012|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=Teleg3Jun12>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9309856/The-Queens-Diamond-Jubilee-Happy-and-glorious-the-river-Queen.html|title=The Queen's Diamond Jubilee: Happy and glorious, the river Queen|author=Gordon Rayner|date=3 June 2012|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref>

The building was lit with pink lights [[Breast cancer awareness|to raise awareness of breast cancer]] in 2013.<ref name=TelegPink>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10402170/Iconic-landmarks-turn-pink-for-breast-cancer-campaign.html?frame=2712510|title=Iconic landmarks turn pink for breast cancer campaign|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref> In January 2013, the building was briefly put into a state of alert after the [[Vauxhall helicopter crash]].<ref name=TelegJan13>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/aviation/9807170/Helicopter-crash-miracle-of-how-so-few-died-when-fire-rained-down-on-the-rush-hour.html|title=Helicopter crash: 'miracle' of how so few died when fire rained down on the rush hour|author1=Gordon Rayner |author2=Duncan Gardham |author3=Andrew Hough |date=16 January 2013|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref>