The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has disclosed figures on lost and stolen government-issued devices, revealing that 356 phones, 62 laptops, 13 USB drives, and 11 computers have been reported as misplaced or stolen since 5 July 2024.
The data, provided by Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Defence, in response to a parliamentary question from James Cartlidge MP, outlines monthly losses:
| Month | Computers | USBs | Phones | Laptops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From 5 July 24 | 11 | 2 | 14 | 8 |
| August 24 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 11 |
| September 24 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 8 |
| October 24 | 0 | 2 | 37 | 19 |
| November 24 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| December 24 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 |
| January 25 | 0 | 5 | 124 | 7 |
| Up to 27 Feb 25 | 0 | 2 | 145 | 4 |
| Total | 11 | 13 | 356 | 62 |
Pollard acknowledged that the high number of missing phones is due to “two incidents submitted by one part of Defence regarding the mustering of assets.” He clarified that while poor accounting is “likely the cause,” all the devices remain recorded as missing.
The discrepancy was identified following strengthened mobile device accounting processes, which were introduced to improve tracking and record-keeping. These measures aim to reduce losses, prevent wastage, and enhance overall asset management.
The MoD stressed that not all reported cases resulted in actual losses or thefts, as some devices were later recovered. However, concerns remain over the security implications of lost or stolen government-issued electronics, particularly given the sensitive nature of MoD operations.
Pollard noted improvements in the tracking of laptops but acknowledged that the same level of progress has not yet been seen for mobile phones due to the accounting issues.
With enhanced asset tracking systems now in place, the MoD aims to tighten controls over government-issued devices, ensuring better record-keeping and minimising financial losses and potential security risks.
