Senior counter terrorism police officer admits leaving confidential documents in car for five days before they were stolen
Marcus Beale admitted charge of failing to safeguard information under Official Secrets Act
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Senior West Midlands police officer Marcus Beale has admitted leaving confidential documents in a car four or five days before they were stolen.
Mr Beale, 54, who was the counter terrorism lead for West Midlands police, put the papers in a locked case in an unmarked police car.
The case and other personal items were stolen from the vehicle in May.
Mr Beale was suspended from duty and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he admitted the charge of failing to safeguard information under the Official Secrets Act.
He joined West Midlands police in 2011 and held West Midlands Police’s security portfolio, with responsibility for the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit.
Press Association