Paper shredders are to be provided to dozens of nationwide Garda stations, it emerged today.
An Garda Síochána has invited tenders for the supply and delivery of the hi-tech machines to destroy unwanted confidential documents about suspects and investigations.
Document fraud has increased in recent years, and Garda chiefs are aware that sensitive documents in local stations, including personal details of officers, must be filed securely or safely destroyed.
Former Garda fraud squad officer and Axa fraud investigations manager Willie McGee said: "Most firms have a shredding policy for destroying important documents, and I presume the Garda is professionalising its operations in this manner like any business."
Mr McGee said householders should also use EU-certified shredders to dispose of personal bank statements or credit card bills in case they get into the wrong hands.
"Criminals raiding wheelie bins or posing as cleaners in apartment blocks have accessed information to enable them to clone credit cards or pilfer bank accounts in the past," he added.