By News Editor Declan Wilkes 1240 GMT

Thieves have made off with the names, bank details, phone numbers and email addresses of every practicing lawyer in England and Wales.

Details of direct debits and people who have complained about barristers, including witnesses, were also taken from a laptop and four hard-drives.

The sensitive data went awol during a burglary at the High Holborn headquarters of The Bar Council - but they claim that the information is heavily protected. Staff discovered the burglary on Saturday morning. 

Chief executive David Hobart said the break-in appeared random.

3,000 direct debit

The details of 3,000 people who pay the Bar Council by direct debit were taken but not their passwords, debit or credit card numbers, or pin numbers.

Also taken were the details of people who have made complaints against barristers, including witnesses, totaling some 1500 cases.

The Bar Council said the "data is covered by a high level of protection and cannot be accessed readily".