Over the last two years, the UK military services have lost two machine guns, two handguns, and approximately 2,000 rounds of ammunition.
Meanwhile, in 2021, two SA80 Cadet PP Rifles were stolen.
The numbers, initially published by the Daily Mirror, also revealed that 258 computers from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had been lost or stolen.
The Ministry of Defence stated that it had "robust procedures in place to deter and prevent losses and thefts."
...The numbers, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, indicated that the department lost two general-purpose machine guns (GPMGs), one Glock 43X pistol, one Glock 17 pistol, and one deactivated AK47 rifle between 2021 and 2022.
Over the two-year timeframe, 76 PCs and 124 USBs were also lost or stolen.
The missing AK47 Rifle and stolen SA80 Cadet PP Rifles, according to the MoD, were deactivated and could not be reconverted into dangerous weapons.
According to the report, the majority of ammunition was lost by mistake during drills or operations.
To mitigate the consequences of any losses, the agency noted that all laptops, tablet computers, and USBs were secured.
"The first duty of any government is to keep people safe," Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey said. "Ministers have serious questions to answer about how these weapons, electronics, and ammunition went missing from MoD bases, and who now has them."
"At a time when external threats are increasing, ministers must address security within the MoD to ensure that UK equipment does not fall into the hands of the wrong people."
"We take the security of defence assets very seriously and have robust procedures in place to deter and prevent losses and thefts," an MoD spokesman said. Property is later recovered in some reported theft situations.
"If any items are reported lost or missing as a result of suspected criminal activity, we will investigate and prosecute."
source(BBC)
Meanwhile, in 2021, two SA80 Cadet PP Rifles were stolen.
The numbers, initially published by the Daily Mirror, also revealed that 258 computers from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had been lost or stolen.
The Ministry of Defence stated that it had "robust procedures in place to deter and prevent losses and thefts."
...The numbers, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, indicated that the department lost two general-purpose machine guns (GPMGs), one Glock 43X pistol, one Glock 17 pistol, and one deactivated AK47 rifle between 2021 and 2022.
Over the two-year timeframe, 76 PCs and 124 USBs were also lost or stolen.
The missing AK47 Rifle and stolen SA80 Cadet PP Rifles, according to the MoD, were deactivated and could not be reconverted into dangerous weapons.
According to the report, the majority of ammunition was lost by mistake during drills or operations.
To mitigate the consequences of any losses, the agency noted that all laptops, tablet computers, and USBs were secured.
"The first duty of any government is to keep people safe," Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey said. "Ministers have serious questions to answer about how these weapons, electronics, and ammunition went missing from MoD bases, and who now has them."
"At a time when external threats are increasing, ministers must address security within the MoD to ensure that UK equipment does not fall into the hands of the wrong people."
"We take the security of defence assets very seriously and have robust procedures in place to deter and prevent losses and thefts," an MoD spokesman said. Property is later recovered in some reported theft situations.
"If any items are reported lost or missing as a result of suspected criminal activity, we will investigate and prosecute."
source(BBC)
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