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| Thefts from West Country military bases cost £280k | Thefts from West Country military bases cost £280k |
| (5 days later) | |
| More than £280,000 worth of equipment has been stolen from military bases in the West Country in the past two years, the BBC has learned. | |
| The items include four Land Rovers with a combined value of £75,000, and more than £35,000 worth of copper piping. | The items include four Land Rovers with a combined value of £75,000, and more than £35,000 worth of copper piping. |
| The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it "works hard to detect and deter theft". | The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it "works hard to detect and deter theft". |
| Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury near Imjin Barracks where £15,000 of goods has been stolen, said he was shocked at the size of the problem. | Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury near Imjin Barracks where £15,000 of goods has been stolen, said he was shocked at the size of the problem. |
| He said: "It is very surprising and very disappointing that military bases are losing equipment on this scale." | He said: "It is very surprising and very disappointing that military bases are losing equipment on this scale." |
| Among the region's 15 military bases also affected are Tidworth Barracks in Wiltshire, RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset and Abbey Wood in Bristol. | Among the region's 15 military bases also affected are Tidworth Barracks in Wiltshire, RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset and Abbey Wood in Bristol. |
| Six prosecutions | Six prosecutions |
| Other goods stolen include £20,000 worth of diving helmets, a set of night vision goggles, two vacuum cleaners and two tumble dryers. | Other goods stolen include £20,000 worth of diving helmets, a set of night vision goggles, two vacuum cleaners and two tumble dryers. |
| The Defence Police Federation, which works on behalf of MoD police officers, said the actual number of thefts was probably higher. | The Defence Police Federation, which works on behalf of MoD police officers, said the actual number of thefts was probably higher. |
| Chairman Eamon Keating said in many instances property was wrongly being written off as "loss". | Chairman Eamon Keating said in many instances property was wrongly being written off as "loss". |
| He said the MoD police should actively investigate the loss of equipment to save the department money. | He said the MoD police should actively investigate the loss of equipment to save the department money. |
| In total, there were 97 separate incidents of items going missing during the period between January 2011 and December 2012, which resulted in six prosecutions. | In total, there were 97 separate incidents of items going missing during the period between January 2011 and December 2012, which resulted in six prosecutions. |
| Mr Robertson added: "I think people are going to be very disappointed at how few prosecutions have come about as a result of investigations into these thefts. | Mr Robertson added: "I think people are going to be very disappointed at how few prosecutions have come about as a result of investigations into these thefts. |
| "Those responsible for security at these sites must do more to keep items safe in the first place and to bring those responsible for taking them to justice." | "Those responsible for security at these sites must do more to keep items safe in the first place and to bring those responsible for taking them to justice." |
| The MoD said: "Just as theft occurs in wider society, the MoD is not immune and we actively encourage individuals to report any evidence of loss or suspicion of theft." | The MoD said: "Just as theft occurs in wider society, the MoD is not immune and we actively encourage individuals to report any evidence of loss or suspicion of theft." |