Ministry of Defence staff have lost a record number of security passes, with more than 15,000 reported missing over the past five years and a further 1,000 recorded as stolen, newly released figures reveal.
80 security passes go missing every week
On average, nearly 80 security passes go missing every week, prompting security experts to warn of potential risks if the passes were to fall into the wrong hands. The revelations come just days after pro-Palestinian activists infiltrated RAF Brize Norton and damaged two military aircraft, reigniting concerns about security at defence sites.
Figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests show the number of lost passes has nearly doubled in four years, rising from 2,043 in 2020 to more than 3,830 in 2024. Over the same period, the number of stolen passes tripled from 82 to 278. While there was a drop in lost passes during the pandemic, the total surged again as staff returned to offices.
The missing passes grant access to secure areas within key defence buildings. Although MoD procedures require all lost or stolen passes to be reported and deactivated, experts warn that the sheer volume indicates broader issues in internal security culture.
“This highlights a worrying lack of responsibility,” said Col Philip Ingram, a former army intelligence officer. “There should be consequences when passes are lost. If staff are careless with this, what else might they be misplacing?”
John O’Connell of the TaxPayers’ Alliance called the situation “ludicrous,” adding: “These are people in the very department meant to keep Britain safe.”
Admiral Lord West of Spithead, a former First Sea Lord, has previously warned that lost security passes present not just a security risk, but a potential terrorism risk. “It’s not something that should be taken lightly,” he said.
To reduce risks, many organisations have shifted to “exchange badging,” a system where staff carry a blank, unmarked card outside of secure locations, which is then swapped for a named access pass once inside. Security experts say this limits exposure if the outer card is lost.
The incident at RAF Brize Norton on Friday, in which Palestine Action activists breached the perimeter and sprayed paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager refuelling aircraft, has intensified scrutiny of MoD site security. The breach has led to calls from political figures, including Nigel Farage and Shadow Home Secretary Robert Jenrick to have Palestine Action designated a terrorist organisation.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We treat all breaches of security very seriously. Every incident is subjected to a risk assessment, and proportionate action is taken accordingly.”
The issue follows past high-profile lapses, including a 2021 breach in which sensitive MoD documents were found at a bus stop in Kent.
As public and political pressure mounts, the MoD is likely to face calls for tighter internal controls, greater accountability, and enhanced training for staff handling secure materials.
