British royal SARAH FERGUSON’s security has been stepped up after a former employee, who was in jail on a murder charge, escaped from prison.

The Duchess of York’s former dresser Jane Andrews was put behind bars for life in 2001 for killing her boyfriend Tom Cressman after he refused to marry her.

She was moved to East Sutton Park open prison in Kent, south-east England on Wednesday (18Nov09) - just days after she tried to kill herself by taking a paracetamol overdose.

Andrews, who served Ferguson for nine years until she was fired in 1997, was taken to hospital and then returned to the jail facility, but police officers later realised she was missing on Sunday night (22Nov09).

And the news has shocked the Duchess, who has surrounded herself with extra bodyguards as she carries out her normal duties while cops continue to search for Andrews.

A source tells Britain’s Daily Mirror, “She was shocked. She is in London all week for business and charity meetings. She won’t change her plans but obviously security will be stepped up.”