The police and crime minister was robbed while attending a police conference, it has been revealed.

In a major embarrassment, Dame Diana Johnson’s purse was stolen after she warned of an “epidemic of antisocial behaviour, theft and shoplifting”.

She had been speaking at the annual conference of the Police Superintendents Association at a hotel near Kenilworth in the Midlands.

In a post on X, she said it had been a “pleasure” to be there.

She said: “We have a mission to tackle serious crime, antisocial behaviour and restore neighbourhood policing. What I’ve seen in my short time in this role has given me renewed confidence that we’ll succeed.”

The Home Office confirmed that the minister had items belonging to her stolen while at the conference.

In a statement, Warwickshire Police said: “We’re investigating a report of the theft of a purse at a hotel on the B4115 in Kenilworth.

“A 56-year-old man from Coventry has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.”