Ministry of Defence Reports Loss and Theft of Assets, Including Firearms and Electronics

Over the past two years, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reported the loss or theft of various items, including firearms, deactivated weapons, and hundreds of electronic devices. The figures were revealed in response to a parliamentary question posed by the Liberal Democrats, raising questions about security protocols and asset management within the department.

Among the items lost or stolen were several firearms and deactivated weapons. A deactivated World War Two Luger pistol and a Sten submachine gun were reported lost in June 2023. The following month, an SA80 rifle was misplaced, along with a deactivated World War One German machine gun. Both were subsequently recovered.

In December 2023, a Glock 19 pistol was reported stolen. Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard emphasised that the MoD takes the security of firearms "very seriously," with all incidents being "fully and rigorously investigated."

In addition to weapons, a significant number of electronic devices have been reported lost or stolen over the two-year period. In 2024, 159 phones, 138 laptops, 125 USB sticks, and 25 computers were unaccounted for. While the number of lost or stolen laptops decreased compared to 2023, the rise in missing USB sticks, from 20 in 2023 to 125 in 2024, has drawn attention.

The MoD stated that "proportionate security controls" are in place to protect devices, tailored to the sensitivity of the information they store.

The Liberal Democrats have called for an urgent inquiry into the management of MoD assets. Defence spokesperson Helen Maguire expressed concern over the potential risks associated with missing items, particularly in light of global security tensions.

“The loss of these resources is deeply concerning, especially at this time,” Maguire said. “Sensitive national safety information may end up in the wrong hands, while public funds are spent on replacements.”

The MoD has responded to these concerns by reiterating its commitment to asset security. An MoD spokesperson stated, “We take the security of defence assets extremely seriously and have robust policies and procedures to prevent losses and thefts. If any assets are reported lost or missing due to suspected criminal activity, we take the necessary steps to investigate, prosecute, and recover the items.”

The government has not yet provided figures for 2024 regarding firearms that may have been lost or stolen.

The loss of weapons and electronic devices highlights the challenges faced by large organisations in managing and securing assets. While the MoD has policies in place to address such incidents, the figures underscore the importance of continuous review and improvement of these measures.

As investigations continue, the focus will remain on understanding how these losses occurred and implementing measures to prevent future incidents.