A memory stick containing information on hundreds of police investigations has gone missing, it emerged today.
A major search for the computer gadget was launched after it was reported lost on February 26, up to two months after it disappeared at Lothian and Borders Police headquarters in Edinburgh.
The USB memory stick contains 750 entries concerning vehicles "of interest" to police, and other intelligence.
It is understood that the information on the stick was not encrypted as it was being transferred within a secure compound inside the police headquarters in the Fettes area of the city.
The gadget was last used by staff working in the Road Policing Division in the building and was lost between December 2008 and January this year.
It was reported missing on February 26.
Lothian and Borders Police said that "exhaustive" enquiries were under way to find it.
A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police can confirm that it is unable to locate a USB memory stick.
"We are taking this loss very seriously and have commissioned a review into how we hold and transport information within the organisation.
"The reality of modern day policing is such that we exploit the latest technology. "However, like every other large organisation, we have a responsibility to safeguard the information we hold.
He added: "We are confident that this loss does not in any way compromise any individual involved in any ongoing or previous police investigations."
Police said they will report the findings of the review to the Information Commissioner, who has been informed about what has happened.
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