Laptops stolen from a civil service human resources office in Belfast contained personal financial details of staff members.

The computers were taken during a break-in at Department of Finance and Personnel offices at the weekend.

Staff were given an update about what was on the laptops on Wednesday.

An email informed them that the computers contained information such as national insurance numbers and bank account details.

It read: "Two of the laptops contained a wide range of personal data on a number of files.

"This included employee name, home address, payroll number, National Insurance Number and date of birth"

"Separate details of some individuals' bank or building society accounts were contained on one of these laptops and these individuals are being contacted separately and immediately with more detailed information and advice.

"Their banks have already been contacted"

The department said all the machines were password-protected.

Police are currently conducting an investigation into the break-in.