Security threats Toolkit

IPCC probes police memory-stick loss

Kable

Published: 17 Sep 2008 10:32 BST

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an inquiry into the loss of a memory stick from West Midlands Police.

The loss of the data stick is being treated as "an extremely serious matter", according to Len Jackson, the IPCC commissioner. West Midlands Police would not comment on press reports that the stick contained information on terror suspects.

Jackson said: "We will use our own independent investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the loss of this data stick, what policies and procedures are in place at West Midlands Police to protect sensitive information and whether these are compliant with legal requirements on data protection."

He added that it was important to identify any lessons to be learned in order to reduce the risk of such incidents occurring again.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police told GC News: "We can confirm that we are conducting an investigation into the loss of a data memory stick and carrying out searches in an attempt to recover the lost item. West Midlands Police have referred the matter to the IPCC who have commenced an independent enquiry."