Official data reveal handguns, rifles, machine weapons and ammunition have been ‘misplaced’.
Lacking (Picture: Getty)
A stunning arsenal of weapons and bullets have gone lacking from army bases throughout the previous decade. Official figures from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) revealed rifles, pistols and machine weapons have vanished, together with greater than 92,000 rounds of ammunition.
Throughout the identical time interval the MoD has misplaced greater than 200 computer systems, in extra of 1,600 laptops and nearly 800 reminiscence sticks.
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The losses elevate considerations a number of the lacking weapons might find yourself within the arms of criminals or terrorists. Whereas specialists say the vanishing tech {hardware} might expose the army to safety dangers.
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The disclosure of weaponry blunders on the MoD comes simply a short while after the Metropolitan Police had been left red-faced in a separate weapons safety blunder when it emerged armed officers guarding London Mayor Sadiq Khan had left a bag containing weapons on the pavement close to his residence.
Figures obtained beneath Freedom of Data legal guidelines present a gradual stream of losses throughout the MoD since 2016. In complete, 65 weapons have been reported lacking over the interval, alongside greater than 92,000 rounds of ammunition.
Final yr a C8 rifle – generally utilized by particular forces models – was reported lacking, whereas in 2024 two extra C8 rifles and a Glock pistol went lacking.
The yr earlier than, a Glock pistol and a SA80 assault rifle had been recorded as lacking and in 2023 three deactivated weapons additionally disappeared together with a World Struggle Two Luger pistol and a German machine gun.
In 2022, a Glock pistol and a common goal machine gun (GPMG) had been reported lacking. Whereas the earlier yr noticed two SA80 cadet rifles stolen, a Glock pistol misplaced and one other GPMG go lacking.
Different gadgets stolen ranged from £20,000 night time imaginative and prescient goggles and army radios price greater than £160,000 to on a regular basis package together with an air fryer, gymnasium tools and even a silver decoration.
The figures cowl gadgets misplaced in a spread of circumstances, together with incidents on bases, throughout coaching workouts and on operations. The MoD mentioned it has procedures in place to stop losses and that every one incidents are investigated.
Callum McGoldrick, investigations marketing campaign supervisor on the TaxPayers’ Alliance, mentioned: “Taxpayers will likely be horrified that the MoD has develop into a misplaced property workplace for deadly weapons.
“It’s unhealthy sufficient that taxpayers’ cash is being wasted on changing misplaced laptops and gymnasium tools, however the disappearance of weapons is a terrifying lapse in primary safety. The MoD must cease the reasons and begin treating army property with the seriousness they deserve.”
A MoD spokesperson mentioned: “We take the lack of tools severely and have sturdy procedures to discourage, detect and stop loss or theft. All losses and thefts are totally investigated in partnership with the MoD police, service police and Dwelling Workplace police forces as applicable.”
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