News

3,000 blank passports stolen from delivery van

About 3,000 blank passports and visas have been stolen from a van en route from Manchester to London.


However, the passport service said the documents could not be used by thieves because of their high tec security features. They are thought to be the new electronic type which contain a chip replicating the information on the document itself.


A spokeswoman from the Foreign Office admitted a breach of security had taken place. It has been suggested the passports are worth around £1,700 each on the black market.


Greater Manchester Police said the robbery took place just under half a mile away from the factory in Oldham where the passports are produced. They were to be sent to British Embassies around the world.

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.