Member

Once the investigation and any court proceedings have got to the point where it is necessary to return the laptop to its owner, it would be entirely inappropriate for the PSFA to return the laptop without removing the relevant files containing national insurance numbers. The key here is ensuring that the PSFA does not find itself in a situation where it is stuck retaining an item indefinitely, at ongoing cost to the taxpayer, as it cannot return the item without fear that, once returned, the item could be used in the commission of an offence, with additional costs. By then, the laptop might be somewhat out of date, but we are where we are.