£50,000 toll of stolen council equipment

SECURITY had to be tightened at Rotherham Borough Council's Norfolk House offices after £15,000-worth of laptop computers went missing in one night.

The 21 laptops were just part of £50,000-worth of council equipment which went missing in 2011.

A Freedom of Information request revealed that stolen property included chainsaws, strimmers, shears and blowers worth almost £29,000,taken from depots in Kimberworth, Greasbrough and the Clifton Park service yard.

Music turntables worth £1,200 were lifted from the Old Colliery Offices in Kiveton Park.

More than £3,000 of BMX biking equipment was stolen from Kimberworth’s Chislett Young People’s Centre.

Other laptops were taken at Blyth Road in Maltby, Sunnybank Crescent in Brinsworth, Elm Lane in Sheffield and Cantley in Doncaster.

Insurance settlements covered about two-thirds of the value of items taken—£33,850 out of the £50,200 total.

A council spokesman said: “A total of 21 laptops were stolen from Norfolk House during the evening of October 26.

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“Immediately following the incident, details were passed onto the police to investigate.

“In all instances of theft, we always thoroughly review our security measures and take appropriate action.

“This was done in this case, and a briefing was issued to all staff reminding individuals of their responsibilities regarding security.

“The council’s new Riverside building sees improved security including the introduction of staff ID swipe cards and single entry security barriers preventing unauthorised access.”

Norfolk House closes its doors on March 5 when the remaining staff from the schools admissions service will move across town to Riverside.

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