Laptop containing personal information of MoD employees stolen from motorway services

The computer was taken from the boot of the car of an employee subcontracted to work at MoD Donnington

Ministry of Defence building in London (Getty)

A laptop, containing personal details of employees at the Ministry of Defence has been stolen from a motorway service station.

Staff at MoD Donnington in Telford were told yesterday that their personal information was contained on a computer taken from the boot of a car parked on the Strensham Services on the M5.

One of the affected employees, who did not want to be named, told the Shropshire Star: “We were told that our personal details were on the stolen laptop, including our bank details.

“Given the importance of security here, you would think the company who had won this huge MoD contract would have better security procedures than this.”

Police said the laptop was stolen at around 1.30pm on 2 June and belonged to an employee of MoD contractor Kuehne and Nagel.

A spokesman for Kuehne and Nagel told the Shropshire Star: “We confirm that the company laptop of an employee went missing, presumed stolen.

“The laptop was being used for preparations for the Ministry of Defence contract known as Logistics Commodities and Services.”

A Ministry of Defence Spokesperson said: ““A laptop belonging to a commercial company that contained encrypted HR information about MoD personnel has been reported missing in the West Midlands.

“We take the protection of our people, including their personal data, extremely seriously and although the data will be difficult to access given the encryption protection, we have informed our employees and are working to support them.”

West Mercia Police confirmed the theft of a laptop had been reported on 2 June, but did not comment any further.

Kuehne and Nagel have been approached by The Independent for comment.