The Bank of England is still almost £80,000 out of pocket as it has stopped pursuing former staff accused of stealing banknotes in an audacious robbery in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Banknotes due to be incinerated at the Debden facility were instead smuggled out inside workers' underwear in the alleged crime, though a lack of witnesses meant only one person was successfully prosecuted.

The remainder were sued by the Bank, which cited their "high living" as evidence.

Judge Norman Rudd of the High Court declared in 1994 that they had stolen from the Bank, and four couples were ordered to repay a total of almost £700,000.

Last month the Bank said "substantially all of the funds stolen in 1992" had been recovered, revealing the information in the minutes of a meeting the the Court, the institution's board.

As a result the "Court agreed that it would be right now to draw a line."

However a Freedom of Information request sent by the Telegraph has revealed the Bank is still out of pocket.

Only £618,670 of the £697,000 ordered has been returned.

The case was turned into the ITV film Hot Money, starring Caroline Quentin, as well as a Hollywood movie with Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes.

To read the complete article, see:
Bank of England still £80,000 short after 'cash in knickers' theft(https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/05/19/bank-england-still-80000-short-cash-knickers-theft/)