Twenty-fifth edition of the N&O column / Spooks newsletter

(Date: Mon, 1 May 2000 12:27:22 +0200)

Enigma machine stolen

An unpleasant message reached me on 2 April. At first I thought that this was a April Fool's joke but it appears to be a real theft. An Enigma machine was stolen from Bletchley Park. The police arrested a 50 year old man on 4 April but a day later he was released on police bail till April 18. No further details about the individual or the circumstances surrounding his arrest are expected to be released by the police. If you want to follow the news regarding the missing Enigma machine, be sure to check the Bletchley Park website.

The following is a press release from Bletchley Park dated 2 April.

Enigma machine stolen from Bletchley Park

Yesterday afternoon, an Enigma three rotor cypher machine was stolen from the mansion at Bletchley Park, home of the world war 2 codebreakers and birthplace of the communications revolution.

The machine, whose value is difficult to assess, appears to have been taken from a display case while the Park was open to visitors. It was used during the war to protect German secret messages. Enigma machines exchange hands for cash values starting at several thousand pounds.

Trust Director Christine Large said, "This is a selfish act, calculated to deprive the visitors and students at Bletchley Park of the chance to enjoy and appreciate a unique piece of history. The Trust will be deeply grateful for any information that may lead to the return of the machine."

Meanwhile, leading national security firm Polaris Telemetry, which has agreed to sponsor the installation and management of a comprehensive, high tech security system at Bletchley Park, is speeding up its plans to complete the work. Within the week, the first phase of the 'MicroLan' network on the Park will be in operation. All sensitive information and equipment will be asset-tagged. There will be infra red labelling and television monitoring both on the site and at the Polaris Telemetry control centre.

How to spot the Abwehr Enigma machine

Serial number: G-312
Counter like a car odometer above the keyboard on the right
NO plugboard at the front
Extra numbers or symbols on every key

Reward

BT Property, which has been a great supporter of the Trust, especially over the last couple of years, is offering a REWARD of GBP 5,000 for information leading to the return of this rare Enigma machine.

For information:
Christine Large - 01908 631129 / 07971 193546 / 020 7737 7220
or Thames Valley Valley Police 01908 686000

To reach one of these numbers from abroad : dial your phone operator international access code, then "44", then the number after having dropped the leading zero.