60 NI Postal Staff Sacked In Three Years For Theft

Sixty dishonest postal staff were fired in Northern Ireland between 2005 and 2007, Royal Mail has revealed.

Theft-related incidents during the three-year period led to 23 employees facing prosecution, with a further 37 questioned under caution, and subsequently sacked.

Royal Mail insisted it follows a zero tolerance policy on such behaviour.

A spokesperson said: "Our security teams work closely with our staff to ensure such instances are detected and dealt with as swiftly as possible.

“We welcome convictions for those responsible andc it goes without saying that the overwhelming majority of our employees are scrupulously honest and that incidents of this nature only cause annoyance and concern among decent, hardworking postmen and women," added the official.

In 2005, one member of staff resigned after being interviewed under caution for an alleged theft.

Around 3,500 people in Northern Ireland work for Royal Mail.

Royal Mail could not provide details on where the thefts had taken place, due to restrictions imposed by the Data Protection Act.

This information was obtained by the Northern Ireland edition of the Daily Mirror. under the Freedom of Information Act.

(PR)