Data theft claims another victim - on TV

NEWS The growing problem of IT fraud claimed a new victim this week, when a North of England clothes manufacturer had its entire contact database copied. Underworld, owned by Weatherfield entrepreneur, Michael Baldwin, had its data on customers, suppliers and partners smuggled out of the company's premises while Baldwin was just yards away, enjoying a drink at his local pub. However, it's not as bad as it sounds - it's the latest plot from long-running UK soap opera Coronation Street. On Monday, the programme's 18 million viewers saw Baldwin's sales rep, Greg Kelly, anxiously clicking away at his employer's PC. When spotted by his girlfriend, Sally Webster, he admitted what he was up to - stealing Underworld's data in a bid to set up a rival business. The world of IT is not a common theme for the Street's storylines, but there are signs that the programme, which has been on air since 1960, is entering the technological age. Aside from the database theft, the Street's disabled builder, Jim McDonald has been dropping heavy hints about how much he would like a computer. So will Kelly get away with it? And how did he get all that data on to just one floppy disk? UK viewers can tune in tonight to find out.