Missing police pension letters located on Royal Mail premises

By Rebecca Black, PA

A missing cache of pension payslips for former police officers have been located within Royal Mail premises, the PSNI has said.

Concern was voiced after the letters had not been received by the retired police officers they had been intended for after four weeks.

The PSNI confirmed on Friday that 300 payslips were collected by Royal Mail "at the end of March" but could not be located.

The force said a senior investigating officer was working with Royal Mail to "establish the circumstances and address any criminal justice matters which may unfold".

It added that police do not believe anyone can be identified as a former officer from the details on the documents.

A group for ex-Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) members said many police pensioners "won't be reassured until the documents are safely retrieved and delivered".

DUP leader Arlene Foster and Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers expressed "serious concern" over a "potential data breach" and urged the matter be investigated.

On Saturday morning the PSNI said that undelivered pension payslips have now been located within Royal Mail Premises.

"We are continuing to review the matter in partnership with Royal Mail," a spokesman added.