Crime and policing minister Dame Diana Johnson has had her purse stolen – while meeting senior officers to discuss shoplifting and thefts.
According to Sky News, it happened as the Labour MP attended the Police Superintendents’ Association’s annual conference in Kenilworth in the West Midlands.
During a speech at the event, Dame Diana said the UK had been “gripped by an epidemic of anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting”.
She later discovered her belongings had been stolen, although no “security risk” was identified, officials said.
Warwickshire Police confirmed officers were investigating a report of theft of a purse at the hotel used for the conference between 11am and 1.15pm on Tuesday.
A spokesperson said a 56-year-old man from Coventry had been arrested on suspicion of burglary and had since been released on bail while enquiries continued.