Police lose memory stick with top secret 'terrorist' information



West Midlands police are investigating the loss of a computer memory stick containing information on terror suspects (file picture)

A computer memory stick said to contain top-secret information on terror suspects has been lost by police, it has been reported.



The black 4GB stick went missing after being taken out of a police station by an officer on patrol in the West Midlands last Thursday.

Officers have raided at least one property in the hunt for the device.

Officials spent the weekend co-ordinating efforts to find it and it is understood that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has already been informed.



West Midlands Police said it could not comment on the contents of the device, but local media reports suggested it held 'top-secret information on terror suspects'.

A force spokeswoman said: 'We can confirm West Midlands Police is investigating the loss of a data memory stick.

'We are conducting searches in an attempt to recover the lost item. We will not comment in relation to the contents of that memory stick.

The Birmingham Mail today reported that the black 4GB stick was lost after being taken out of a police station in Castle Vale, Birmingham, by an officer on patrol last week.

The memory stick reportedly contains details of terror cells being tracked by police, although the force refused to confirm or deny this.

A Home Office spokesman said the Government had been informed about the loss but added that he could not comment further.