COMPUTERS used by workers dealing with vulnerable children have been stolen during a burglary at county council offices.

The raid happened at newly built Rising Bridge Business and Enterprise Village, Blackburn Rd, between Accrington and Haslingden.

The missing laptops were used by staff from adult and community services and children and young people's services.

The sensitive equipment was taken from secured filing cabinets.

Assurances have been given by council bosses that any sensitive data contained on the computers will not be able to be accessed by the thieves or anyone else due to high-tech security features on the equipment.

Police said an unknown number of intruders entered the building by forcing a ground floor window after approaching the offices from the rear car park.

Other computer equipment was also taken from elsewhere in the building before the thieves escaped.

Eddie Sutton, Lancashire County Council's assistant chief executive, said: “I can confirm that a number of laptops were stolen from the Rising Bridge offices.

“These were used by staff from adult and community services and children and young people's services.

"Because of the high levels of encryption security protecting these computers, no one will be able to access files on the computers unless they are authorised to do so."

Rossendale Council leader, councillor Alyson Barnes said thefts of this nature were ‘very much of concern’ if sensitive data was being held on them.

She added: “I am assuming that because it’s a new building they should have had the very best security systems in place.

“But filing cabinets are flimsy things and don’t keep anyone out.”

The equipment was stolen between 6.30pm on Monday, November 12 and 6.30am on Tuesday, November 13.

The county council recently developed the Rising Bridge offices in partnership with the North West Development Agency and Rossendale Borough Council.