AN interim report into the theft of laptops from St Albans district council is being given at a full council meeting on Wednesday. Chief Executive Daniel Goodwin will present the report on the findings of initial investigations into the theft of four coun

AN interim report into the theft of laptops from St Albans district council is being given at a full council meeting on Wednesday.

Chief Executive Daniel Goodwin will present the report on the findings of initial investigations into the theft of four council laptops - one of which held personal data on over 14,500 postal voters - from the council offices a couple of weeks ago (9).

Leader of the council Cllr Robert Donald has also called for a special meeting of Cabinet to be held next Tuesday (1) to which the council's Audit Committee - that conducted the internal investigation - has been invited.

Cllr Donald, who has also asked Mr Goodwin to commission an independent review of the council's IT services to be conducted as soon as possible, said that he "fully understood" residents' concerns.

He added: "To ensure that there is continuing confidence in the council, I have also instigated an external review to advise the council on any lessons that may need to be learned and the measures that need to be taken to ensure this does not happen again in the future."

A 35-year-old man from Stevenage was arrested on suspicion of stealing the council laptops last week. He has been bailed until March 4.