Police payroll details stolen

Three laptop computers containing payroll details for the Metropolitan Police Service have been stolen, it has emerged.

The computers were stolen from the London offices of LogicaCMG, responsible for the Metropolitan Police's pay and pension services.

The robbery at the Southwark Street address took place on the evening of Thursday 16 November but was not discovered until staff arrived at work the next day.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "We believe the risk of staff members falling victim to either fraudulent activity or identity theft is minimal.

"However, we are in discussion with CIFAS (the UK fraud prevention service), APACS (the single point of contact for most UK financial institutions) and credit reference agencies about what action we can take to further safeguard our staff from becoming victims of fraud."

It said it was in the process of informing staff of the theft and has conducted a "risk assessment" of the data on the laptops.

Peckham-based officers are investigating the robbery, supported by the Specialist Crime Directorate.

A man was arrested on suspicion of burglary on Friday and was later bailed to return to a south London police station at a future date, pending further inquiries.