#BBC NEWS | England | Gloucestershire Low Graphics Accessibility links * Skip to content * Skip to bbc.co.uk search * Low graphics * Accessibility Help * Access keys help British Broadcasting Corporation Search term ____________________ Search Explore the BBC BBC News Updated every minute of every day watch live BBC News channel News Front Page World UK England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Business Politics Health Education Science & Environment Technology Entertainment Also in the news ----------------- Video and Audio ----------------- Have Your Say Magazine In Pictures Country Profiles Special Reports Related BBC sites * Sport * Weather * Radio 1 Newsbeat * CBBC Newsround * On This Day * Editors' Blog Site Version * UK Version * International Version * About the versions Page last updated at 13:02 GMT, Saturday, 27 September 2008 14:02 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Personnel records stolen from MoD Laptop The MoD said it was treating the breach "extremely seriously" The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is investigating the theft of computer files with the records of thousands of serving and former RAF staff on. The information was stored on computer hard drives at the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency at the RAF Innsworth site near Gloucester. The theft of the files took place on 17 September, within a high-security area on the base. The MoD has set up a helpline for people who have been affected. It said it was treating the breach "extremely seriously". 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 disk drives. "In view of the ongoing nature of police inquiries, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage." It is not yet clear how many people's records were affected. But two of the drives are believed to have contained potentially sensitive personal data, while the third hard drive did not contain any personal data. It is thought the missing drives contain appraisal forms which included names, dates of birth, service numbers, and bosses' opinions of staff. The spokesman said the email addresses are MoD e-mail addresses and bank details are contained in a minority of cases. The agency provides support services for some 900,000 serving and ex-service personnel. The first priority has to be ensuring that nobody's security has been put at risk Nick Harvey, Lib Dem defence spokesman 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." Former shadow minister for homeland security, Patrick Mercer, said if the theft was an "internal job" he would be even more concerned. "If this was some sort of opportunity theft by, you know, 'Joe Burglar' - fine. "But if we're saying that this is an internal job which is targeted at some specific form of information, then I'm afraid my alarm bells ring even more." Former government defence advisor Air Vice Marshall Tony Mason, from Cheltenham, said: "If the material was important enough to be in a high security department, locked in a high security cabinet, there should be a record of that material going in and out. "One thing I couldn't establish was what proportion of the information has gone astray, but I would be very, very surprised if this was a break-in from outside." Concerned serving and former RAF personnel can e-mail rafdata@spva.mod.uk or phone the helpline on 0800 085 3600. E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: * Delicious * Digg * reddit * Facebook * StumbleUpon What are these? Gloucestershire BBC Gloucestershire Sport, travel, weather, things to do, features and much more SEE ALSO MoD admits another laptop stolen 20 Jul 08 | UK MoD admits loss of secret files 18 Jul 08 | UK Previous cases of missing data 15 Jun 08 | UK More secret files found on train 15 Jun 08 | UK RELATED INTERNET LINKS Ministry of Defence Gloucestershire Police The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP GLOUCESTERSHIRE STORIES Personnel records stolen from MoD Troubled pub forced to call time Protest over house-building plans MOST POPULAR STORIES NOW * E-MAILED * READ * WATCHED/LISTENED * Doctor slang is a dying art * Obituary: Paul Newman * Analysis: No knock-out winner * Movie legend Paul Newman dies, 83 * 'Car sleepers' the new US homeless Most popular now, in detail * E-MAILED * READ * WATCHED/LISTENED * Movie legend Paul Newman dies, 83 * Little Britain USA is 'too crude' * Riding the Caspian Sea Monster * Obituary: Paul Newman * Treasury in talks to secure B&B Most popular now, in detail * E-MAILED * READ * WATCHED/LISTENED * video Women dice with death on M6 * video Movie legend Paul Newman dies * video The Caspian Sea Monster * video How it works * video Lamborghini free with house Most popular now, in detail FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS BBC political editor Nick Robinson Nick Robinson If the Tories are heading for power, is Cameron ready? Ekranoplan Secret weapon Test driving the Soviets' stealth water plane BBC business editor Robert Peston Robert Peston How will Bradford and Bingley be rescued? Skip to top PRODUCTS & SERVICES * E-mail news * Mobiles * Alerts * News feeds * Interactive TV * Podcasts Explore the BBC Home Popular links * Merlin * Strictly Come Dancing * Electric Proms BBC links A to F 1. BBC iPlayer 2. CBBC 3. CBeebies 4. Food BBC links H to L 1. Health 2. History 3. Learning 4. Local & Nations BBC links M to Sc 1. Music 2. News 3. Radio 4. Science & Nature BBC links Sp to W 1. Sport 2. TV 3. Weather A whole lot more To top Site Links * News Sources * About BBC News BBC links * About the BBC * BBC Help * Contact Us * Accessibility Help * Terms of Use * Jobs * Privacy & Cookies * Advertise With Us BBC © MMVIII The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. [z.zzz]