Personal information has been lost or stolen by 13 London boroughs last year.
After a Freedom of Information request by the BBC, 23 councils responded with over half saying personal data supplied by the public had been lost, accidentally disclosed or been the victim of theft.
Sensitive information disclosed
Data included sensitive information about children in care, birth certificates, court reports on special need cases, nearly 400 student files and parents' P60 annual tax statements for students applying for grants.
Kensington & Chelsea
A case was heard of a Kensington & Chelsea youth worker whose notepad containing the names and addresses of children in care were stolen from a pub.
In another bar a social worker at the same borough,took court papers home for a case. The personnel files and special needs statements were stolen from a bag.
A council spokesman stated: "Where it is clear our policies have not been correctly followed we always undertake a management investigation and disciplinary action is taken when appropriate."
Havering
Havering council was involved in the student information thefts. The council said papers were stored outside in a secure container before incineration and suggested the container was the target of the theft.
Care groups said sensitive information was treated with a "careless attitude" by councils.The Local Government Association said they are working on new guidelines.
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