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Thefts from West Country military bases cost £280k | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
More than £280,000 worth of equipment has been stolen from military bases in the West Country in the past two years, the BBC has learned.. | |
The items include four Land Rovers with a combined value of £75,000, and more than £35,000 worth of copper piping. | The items include four Land Rovers with a combined value of £75,000, and more than £35,000 worth of copper piping. |
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it "works hard to detect and deter theft". | The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it "works hard to detect and deter theft". |
Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury near Imjin Barracks where £15,000 of goods has been stolen, said he was shocked at the size of the problem. | Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury near Imjin Barracks where £15,000 of goods has been stolen, said he was shocked at the size of the problem. |
He said: "It is very surprising and very disappointing that military bases are losing equipment on this scale." | He said: "It is very surprising and very disappointing that military bases are losing equipment on this scale." |
Among the region's 15 military bases also affected are Tidworth Barracks in Wiltshire, RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset and Abbey Wood in Bristol. | |
Six prosecutions | Six prosecutions |
Other goods stolen include £20,000 worth of diving helmets, a set of night vision goggles, two vacuum cleaners and two tumble dryers. | |
The Defence Police Federation, which works on behalf of MoD police officers, said the actual number of thefts was probably higher. | |
Chairman Eamon Keating said in many instances property was wrongly being written off as "loss". | |
He said the MoD police should actively investigate the loss of equipment to save the department money. | |
In total, there were 97 separate incidents of items going missing during the period between January 2011 and December 2012, which resulted in six prosecutions. | In total, there were 97 separate incidents of items going missing during the period between January 2011 and December 2012, which resulted in six prosecutions. |
Mr Robertson added: "I think people are going to be very disappointed at how few prosecutions have come about as a result of investigations into these thefts. | |
"Those responsible for security at these sites must do more to keep items safe in the first place and to bring those responsible for taking them to justice." | |
The MoD said: "Just as theft occurs in wider society, the MoD is not immune and we actively encourage individuals to report any evidence of loss or suspicion of theft." | The MoD said: "Just as theft occurs in wider society, the MoD is not immune and we actively encourage individuals to report any evidence of loss or suspicion of theft." |