Loughton incinerator thefts

Loughton incinerator thefts
The Bank of England Printing Works, where the thefts took place
Datec.April 1988 (1988-04)c.March 1992 (1992-03)
LocationLoughton, Essex
Coordinates51°38′55″N 0°05′26″E / 51.6487°N 0.0905°E / 51.6487; 0.0905
Participants
  • Christine Gibson
  • Peter Gibson
  • Kenneth Longman
  • Janet Longman
  • Michael Nairne
  • Sharon Nairne
  • Kevin Winwright
OutcomeBetween £600,000–£700,000 stolen
VerdictGuilty
ConvictionsWinwright sentenced to 18 months in prison; remaining participants ordered to repay £500,000 to the bank

The Loughton incinerator thefts occurred between 1988 and 1992 at the Bank of England's incinerator plant at Debden in Loughton, Essex – four employees of the plant stole more than £600,000 in a series of regular thefts. The four participants and their spouses were arrested in 1992, with only one being prosecuted in criminal court. In a civil suit, the remaining members of the group were ordered to repay half a million pounds to the bank. The story of the case has been adapted into two feature-length films.