Crime data losses come to light

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Murder case notes, a gangster dossier and papers detailing threats to the UK were all found in Greater Manchester after being lost by the authorities.

Documents relating to the recent murder of Mohammed Arif Iqbal were found in a city centre pub, while photographs of gang members were found under a bush.

Papers in the third incident belonged to an official from the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (Soca).

Greater Manchester Police and Soca are investigating the crime data losses.

Police notes and photographs relating to the murder of Mohammed Arif Iqbal were found by staff in the Moon Under Water pub in Deansgate.

The father-of-two, 26, of Crumpsall, was targeted by a gunman as he sat in a car with three friends in Cheetham Hill on New Year's Eve.

No-one has been arrested or charged with his murder.

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A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesman said the force's Professional Standards Department was investigating.

"It has been handed to police and inquiries are continuing," he said.

In a separate incident, details of 10 men believed to be members of the Longsight Crew gang were found in bushes outside Collyhurst police station.

They showed police photographs of the men, names and dates of births.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Seabridge, of GMP, said a separate internal inquiry was under way.

"I want to reassure the public that we are taking this matter extremely seriously," he said.

"We will also reinforce to officers and staff the importance of keeping sensitive documents secure at all times.

"It is both disappointing and unacceptable that this document was not being stored securely."

Data losses

In the third incident, Soca papers, including one headed "threats to the UK", were found strewn across a field by a woman walking her dog.

The papers had been stored in an officer's car which had been broken into in Greater Manchester on 28 January.

A password-protected and encrypted laptop was also stolen.

A Soca spokesman said: "We believe all of the documents have been recovered but the laptop is still missing.

"The incident is now subject to an investigation so it would not be appropriate to comment further.

"Soca's security procedures are being reviewed as part of this investigation."

The data losses are the latest in a series of similar cases highlighted in the UK in recent months.

HM Revenue and Customs mislaid 25 million child benefit claimants' details in the post, thousands of learner drivers had personal data lost by a DVLA contractor and Navy laptop with details of Armed Forces applicants was lost.