Nuclear Secrets Are Stolen From Homer's Lap-Top

Holiday theft sparks security alert

July 16, 2003
Derek Alexander
The Sunday Mail

A SNEAK thief sparked a national security alert after stealing secret security codes for nuclear power plants across the world.

The confidential information was stored on a laptop computer stolen in Dundee from an executive of a Canadian power company - dubbed Homer Simpson after the hapless nuclear plant worker in the hit cartoon.

He was visiting relatives in Tayside when the theft happened. The laptop contained plans and security details on nuclear power plants in Scotland, the United States and Canada.

Police immediately alerted every force in Britain after the visiting executive from nuclear firm Bruce Power reported the theft.

One source said: "You can't do much if your house is broken into.

"But you've got think that if it was really necessary to take this information on holiday, then you would make sure it was kept super-safe."

"Such important information shouldn't be left stored on a computer which has been left lying about a house.

"It certainly caused alarm."

The theft in the Lochee area of Dundee, on June 27, sparked a major security alert.

Police say the £1000 laptop had plans and security procedures of nuclear power plants in the US, Canada and Torness in East Lothian contained on its hard drive.

Bosses blocked access to their main computers from the laptop as soon as the alarm was raised.

Tayside Police say they recovered the computer two weeks later. However, they have yet to make an arrest.

A Tayside Police spokesman said: "The items have been recovered and we're continuing with our enquiries."

British Energy yesterday admitted being alerted to the theft but insisted no sensitive information about Torness was on the laptop.

Nuclear power plants around the world have tightened security in the aftermath of the terror attacks on September 11.

Nuclear power expert Dr John Large, who has advised the Royal Navy and helped Russia raise the Kursk submarine, said: "The fact that information of this nature was held on a laptop is very alarming.

"If information on security procedures was contained on the hard drive, then this would be very useful to a potential terrorist.

"Nuclear power plants aren't taking the threat of a terrorist attack as seriously as they should."

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