PSNI investigating loss of officer's laptop and notebook

Police are investigating the loss of an officer's laptop and notebook.

They said it's believed the items fell from a moving vehicle on the foreshore stretch of the M2 motorway at around 4.15pm on Thursday.

It follows a major data breach last week in which police mistakenly posted information relating to some 10,000 staff online.

The Northern Ireland Policing Board will meet next Tuesday to discuss the incidents.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd said: "The laptop was immediately deactivated and has been recovered.

"Sections of the notebook remain outstanding. Enquiries are underway to establish the contents of the notebook.

"We will be liaising with the Office of the Information Commissioner and have advised the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Department of Justice.

"Anyone with information or who recovers any material is asked to contact police on 101."

Police say a 50-year-old man has been arrested in Co Londonderry by detectives investigating potential criminality linked to last week's breach.

It was also revealed last week, in a separate incident, that a document containing the names of officers and staff was stolen along with a police-issue laptop from an officer's car on 6 July.

Many officers have expressed concern for their safety in light of the breach, while the current level of terror threat is assessed as severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.

A statement from the Policing Board said: "The Northern Ireland Policing Board will hold a follow up meeting on Tuesday 22 August with the Chief Constable to receive an update on issues arising from the 8 August Data Breach and consider any further actions necessary.

"Members will also have the opportunity to question other data loss incidents that have been reported over the course of the last week."

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