Firms' alarm codes in auction car

The documents included alarm codes

Documents containing security alarm codes for business premises have been found in a car bought at auction.

Andrew Jones, from Cornwall, bought the car, previously owned by Group Four Securicor (G4S), at a Bristol auction.

The documents, with security codes for buildings in Devon and Bristol looked after by G4S, were discovered in the glove box as the car was being valeted.

G4S has begun an investigation but said any security risk from the incident had been addressed.

If this got into the wrong hands there could be trouble Valeter Tony Penhaligon

The documents contained the addresses of two businesses, with alarm codes, padlock numbers and passwords.

Valeter Tony Penhaligon, who found the paperwork, said: "I thought it might be the service history of the vehicle.

"But there were these pin numbers and codes and an address.

"There were all the alarm codes for the gates and everything you could ever want to do what you like with the place.

"If this got into the wrong hands there could be trouble."

Car buyer Mr Jones, from Grampound Road, said: "There was also a handbook on how to be a security officer and information on how to order company uniforms."

Virgin Media, one of the firms whose security details were in the documents, said a full investigation would be launched.

G4S said in a statement: "We can confirm that some documents which appear to belong to a G4S employee have been found by a member of the public.

"We are conducting an internal investigation into the matter with our customer to determine how these documents were mislaid.

"Any security risk that could have been posed by this incident has been nullified."

The documents have been handed back to G4S.