Sensitive files found abandoned in alleyway, resident claims

Around a dozen boxes were spotted piled up in the alley between Little Pete's Wet Fish Shop and the Betfred betting shop in Cooden Sea Road last Thursday lunchtime (October 15).

The resident, who wished not to be named, said: "It's disgraceful as some of them had the words 'Private and Confidential' written on them.

"The alleyway is quite accessible for the public to walk through. The boxes contained people's names, addresses and other confidential information."

The files were left by Care at Home, an agency which deals with home care for elderly people and the disabled.

Police later spoke to managers there following the resident's complaint.

Dan McDowell, partner at Care at Home, said: "We refute the allegation that private documents have been mishandled.

"Our old archived records, as with all properly run organisations, are securely stored for six years in case they may need referring to within that period. After that, they are destroyed by incineration.

"Last Thursday, some 12 or so archived boxes which were older than the statutory limitation period were selected, sorted and removed from the secure document store on our premises for incineration.

"These documents were obviously business records, primarily invoices, as well as some out-of-date client information. This process was personally undertaken by one of the partners.

"The boxes were placed in the alleyway alongside, but still on, our premises, awaiting collection and removal.

"They were stacked in place late morning for removal as soon as a space became available for the trailer to be manoeuvred in front of the office for loading.

"This procedure was again to be done by the same partner and they were due for removal and destruction after lunch.

"We were, in fact, notified of the complaint over lunch, by a visiting police officer who was satisfied that the boxes, which were on our private property, were being dealt with."