Secret Blunkett files found outside pub

Confidential police files detailing the security surrounding Home Secretary David Blunkett were discovered on the street outside a pub by a passer-by, it has emerged.

The documents included aerial shots of Mr Blunkett's home in Sheffield, details of his alarm system and the places he usually visited, The Sun reported today.

The newspaper said it had returned the documents to South Yorkshire Police after being given the file by a 54-year-old former soldier who found it outside the Woodseats Palace pub in Sheffield - opposite a police station.

A Home Office spokeswoman said the Home Secretary was concerned about the incident and had asked for an investigation.

"Mr Blunkett is obviously concerned about what has happened, but is grateful to the newspaper for its responsible behaviour in returning the documents to the police," she said.

South Yorkshire Police confirmed the document was confidential but said it was not up to date.

"However, we are grateful to The Sun for their responsible attitude in handing it over.

"Appropriate measures have been taken as a result of this incident and we have started an internal inquiry to establish how the document came to be found," a spokesman said.

The Sun reported that the 11–page dossier included details of how South Yorkshire Police would react if Mr Blunkett was attacked at home in Sheffield or out in the local area.

It was found on Monday night outside the pub in the Woodseats suburb, opposite the local police station.

The documents, codenamed Operation Decorator, were marked "Confidential. Not to be copied", the newspaper reported.

It went on to say that the pages mentioned code words which police would use to validate a genuine emergency, as well as identifying locations where armed response vehicles would gather if a threat involved firearms.

The newspaper also said that only 22 copies of the file were issued and circulated to officers including two assistant chief constables, a chief superintendent and the superintendent in charge of the South Yorkshire task force.

It reported that copies of the dossier were also sent to Special Branch, the Metropolitan Police and three armed response units patrolling South Yorkshire.