Journalist arrested after raid on suspicion of receiving “sensitive” police material

A journalist has been arrested on suspicion of receiving sensitive police information after a raid on a newspaper office in Milton Keynes.

Two police officers, one from Hertfordshire Police and one from Thames Valley Police, and a soldier, have also been arrested in connection with the case. A 52-year-old Hertfordshire man has also been arrested. The journalist for the Milton Keynes Citizen, who has not been named, was arrested at her home on Tuesday, the same day as the raid. Several items were removed from the Citizen newsroom.

Johnston Press, who own the Citizen, released a statement defending it employee's actions. It said: "Officers of Thames Valley Police executed a search warrant at the offices of the Milton Keynes Citizen, part of Johnston Press plc, at 11:35 a.m. on Tuesday, 8 May 2007. No prior notice was given by police. A number of documents and a computer were taken from the premises.

"Later, police arrested a part-time member of the paper's reporting staff at the reporter's home. Police told Johnston Press that they are investigating allegations of police corruption and the leakage of confidential police information, that they had already arrested a Thames Valley Police officer and that the investigation also involves other media owners."

Johnston said it would co-operate with police inquiries but "has no grounds to suppose that its reporter was not carrying out journalistic responsibilities fairly and legally". It said it would offer the journalist independent legal advice but would not comment further.

Thames Valley Police said: "The investigation relates to the leaking of sensitive police information and does not involve information relating to the army or any military operations. A number of premises have been searched in connection with this inquiry and property seized."