Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
A little rainNews
| 
Submit Comments
TRAIL of damage... MP Paul Rowen and Councillor Shah Wazir inspect the office after the break-in.
Burglars snatch MP’s vital files
Bethan Dorsett28/ 2/2006
THOUSANDS of confidential files have been taken by burglars who smashed their way into the office of Rochdale's MP.
Paul Rowen has made an urgent appeal for the return of the documents, which were installed on the hard drives of two computers stolen from the Liberal Democrats' offices on Drake Street overnight on Sunday.
"While I would like to assure the public that we do have a back-up system, some highly-confidential documents have been taken," he said.
"If you consider we are dealing with 600 active cases at the moment, then we are talking about thousands of files.
"These are not parliamentary documents, but sensitive case studies where members of the public have come to me in confidence on issues ranging from planning matters to immigration.
"We hope these will not fall into the wrong hands."
A digitial camera was also taken during the break-in, the cost of which is still being counted, but expected to run into thousands of pounds.
In the meantime, Mr Rowen is also urging any passers-by who saw any suspicious activity between Sunday night and about 8am on Monday to come forward.
"As well as stealing two very expensive computers, the burglars caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when they smashed the doors and windows of the office," he added.
"We think that they used a ladder to break into one of the windows. They had the nerve to break in at the front of the building so we think that there would have been some witnesses.
"It is hard to imagine that anyone carrying large pieces of computer equipment in the street would have gone unnoticed."
Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 0161 872 5050.
Most recent 1 of 1 user comments
Got an opinion you want to share?| Card | BT Fee |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Capital One Low Rate Balance Transfer | 1.7% |
| Capital One Low Rate Platinum | HASH(0x2b6022065a60) |
| Capital One Fixed Rate Card | 0.0% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 8.6% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 8.6% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Lloyds TSB | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
5.50% |
|
PRINCIPALITY BS e-SAVER |
5.35% |
|
ANGLO IRISH BANK Easy Access Account Issue 2 |
5.25% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
2.75% |
|
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER Online Tracker |
4.75% |
|
BRADFORD & BINGLEY eSavings 6 |
4.60% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
4.00% |
|
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER eSaver - Issue 2 |
5.00% |
|
POST OFFICE Instant Saver |
3.75% |
Surely even someone with Paul Rowans intelligence would use basic encryption to protect sensitive data?
14/03/2006 at 06:53