Stating the bl**ding obvious
I think this is unlikely to be malicious.
Every small item of electronic equipment, not bolted or welded to the desk has a value and can be used, sold, exchanged, or given away for credits.
Memory sticks, portable drives, calculators, mobile phones, I-phones and players, etc have a ready market irrespective of what they contain. Even encryption is of no consequence because it is usually not visible at the time of the theft.
Every nationality in the world including UK citizens are employed as cleaners, cooks and bottle washers throughout all corners of the civil service and military. The usual security and criminal record checks will not identify a small theft character trait.
If not dumped in the river as being too hot, they will probably turn up at a boot sale in Gloucester for £3:00 each.
Why, why, why do we allow portable anything and windows everything.
Imagegear