INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into how a memory stick containing confidential information was found on a pavement.

Data held by social services about children in care was discovered in Potteries Way, Hanley, on Friday.

The sensitive documents included records of foster carers, family court proceedings, parenting assessments and, child custody arrangements.

The stick was found by IT consultant Gary Fox who reported the security breach to The Sentinel before one of our reporters handed it to Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The council will report the breach to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), responsible for regulating the use of personal information.

A council spokesman said: "The investigation into the incident regarding the memory stick is ongoing."

Mike Wolfe: Page 10