Security breach as 3,000 passports stolen from van

The Foreign Office has admitted a serious breach of security after 3,000 blank passports destined for British embassies were stolen from a van.

A spokeswoman said 24 parcels containing blank passports and vignettes - the blank stickers for visa stamps - were taken from the vehicle, which was en-route from a factory in Oldham to RAF Northolt near London. They were believed to be bound for British embassies worldwide.

It was reported that 3,000 documents were stolen, but the spokeswoman was unable to confirm this number.

She said the incident was being investigated by Greater Manchester Police, adding the Home Office and Identity and Passport Service (IPS) had taken “preventative action” to guard against forgeries.

The Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “The van was hijacked en route from the production site.” continues here