Probe after driver details are lost

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A total of 7,685 vehicle-keepers' addresses, names and car particulars were lost at a Parcelforce sorting centre in Coventry after the Driver and Vehicle Agency in Coleraine posted two uncoded discs to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing offices in Swansea, Wales.

They were sent in response to requests from a number of vehicle manufacturers who wished to contact drivers about faults or potential faults in certain vehicle models.

As Northern Ireland Environment Minister Arlene Foster confirmed a full-scale police investigation was under way, management in Coleraine, Co Londonderry, admitted the blunder.

Brendan Magee, chief executive of the DVA in Northern Ireland, said: "We have to hold our hands up, it should have been encrypted.

"A number of reviews are under way. Our own internal review is under way in relation to the HMRC that has been identified. Unfortunately it was a week too late."

Officials realised last week that the data, sent on November 20 and 21, had gone missing.

Representatives from Information Commissioner Richard Thomas' office have been informed.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "It is shocking that the public have been let down yet again by a Government agency failing to protect personal information.

"This goes beyond just HMRC and the DVLA - there are clearly severe systemic failings across the public sector. Inexperienced and ineffective management has led to lax security and poor organisational discipline becoming rife."