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Personnel records stolen from MoD | Personnel records stolen from MoD |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Thieves have stolen files containing the personal records of thousands of serving and former RAF staff, the MoD has confirmed. | Thieves have stolen files containing the personal records of thousands of serving and former RAF staff, the MoD has confirmed. |
The information was stored on computer hard drives at the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency at the RAF Innsworth site near Gloucester. | The information was stored on computer hard drives at the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency at the RAF Innsworth site near Gloucester. |
Police are investigating the theft, which took place last Wednesday, within a high-security area on the base. | Police are investigating the theft, which took place last Wednesday, within a high-security area on the base. |
The MoD said it was treating the breach "extremely seriously". | The MoD said it was treating the breach "extremely seriously". |
900,000 personnel | 900,000 personnel |
A spokesman for the MoD police said: "We can confirm that an investigation is being conducted by MoD police, with the support of Gloucestershire Police into the apparent theft of three USB portable hard disc drives. | A spokesman for the MoD police said: "We can confirm that an investigation is being conducted by MoD police, with the support of Gloucestershire Police into the apparent theft of three USB portable hard disc drives. |
"We are taking the incident extremely seriously. In view of the ongoing nature of police inquiries, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage." | "We are taking the incident extremely seriously. In view of the ongoing nature of police inquiries, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage." |
It is not yet clear what information was stored on the disc drives taken on Wednesday, 17 September, or how many people's records are affected. | It is not yet clear what information was stored on the disc drives taken on Wednesday, 17 September, or how many people's records are affected. |
The first priority has to be ensuring that nobody's security has been put at risk Nick Harvey, Lib Dem defence spokesman | |
The agency provides support services for some 900,000 serving and ex-service personnel. | The agency provides support services for some 900,000 serving and ex-service personnel. |
Commenting on the loss, Nick Harvey, Lib Dem defence spokesman, said: "This is just the latest in a seemingly endless stream of stories involving personal information being lost or stolen. | |
"The first priority has to be ensuring that nobody's security has been put at risk, but we also need a serious look at the way such sensitive data is being handled. | |
"The current situation is unacceptable." |