Friday 2nd October 2009

Vale of White Horse Conservatives

Theft from Council Offices

At the end of July, £6,100 was stolen from the Vale Council offices in Abingdon. This has rightly been kept confidential during the investigation, but is clearly of public interest as it is a not insubstantial sum of public money that has been stolen.

The police declined to undertake a full investigation, instead relying on the Council to carry out its own investigation. After several weeks it remained unclear exactly when the theft took place, narrowed down only to a three day period.

Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Matthew Barber, said, “This is an extremely serious matter, and I do not believe that the response from the police or the council has been adequate. There have clearly been management failings, and I have written to the Chief Constable expressing my concerns that no further action was taken.”

Recommendations have been made to prevent future breaches in security, but these have been kept confidential by the council. No evidence has been discovered that identifies a suspect.