The thief, who swiped a laptop and some data sticks from a BBC contractor's car, could be surprised to learn that the sticks contain the details of hundreds of children who had applied to take part in a cookery show called Gastronuts.
As if it wasn't bad enough that the data contained personal details including names addresses and phone numbers, it also gave full details of when the children, and presumably the rest of their families, would be away on holiday. Score!
The BBC has sent letters to those parents affected by the theft but it's not clear whether they will be sending someone around to turn the lights on and off and bring the mail in.
BBC loses burglar's dream data
The BBC has given one lucky thief the opportunity of a lifetime by becoming the latest British institution to find itself at the centre of a loss of data scandal.
Add iTnews as your trusted source
Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Partner Content
.jpg&h=140&w=231&c=1&s=0)
Promoted Content
Protecting the Human Operating System: How Technology Teams Can Perform Under Pressure in an Always-On World
iTnews State of Security Breakfast comes to Sydney
.png&h=140&w=231&c=1&s=0)
Promoted Content
From ambition to impact: The next era of government transformation.
Promoted Content
How David Jones, Canva and others are putting agentic AI to work
iTnews Resilience, Rewired Breakfast
RIMPA Live Convention 2026
What’s Next?
iTnews Benchmark Security Awards 2026
iTnews State of Security Breakfast Sydney
.jpg&h=140&w=231&c=1&s=0)
.jpg&h=140&w=231&c=1&s=0)
.png&h=140&w=231&c=1&s=0)
