More than £100,000 cash stolen from Warwickshire Police HQ Published duration 27 March 2012

More than £100,000 of cash seized as evidence by Warwickshire Police has been stolen, it has emerged.

The force confirmed an investigation had begun after £113,000 disappeared from its secure storage area at its Leek Wootton headquarters.

It confirmed the matter had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Police said the money had been originally seized in 2009 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

It is linked to the convictions of three people at Warwick Crown Court in January 2010 for a variety of offences including possession of firearms and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Anti-corruption unit

The money was reported as missing in September 2011.

Warwickshire Police said that since this date, a confidential investigation had taken place to try to identify the thief or thieves.

The force said it had now determined that a wider appeal for information from its staff and the public was necessary.

The IPCC has ruled the investigation should be carried out locally.

It is being led by the anti-corruption unit of Warwickshire Police's professional standards department.