Calgarians had a chance this weekend to ensure confidential data left on old computer hard drives and other electronic devices was beyond the reach of identity thieves.

E-data Destruction Day was hosted by the Electronic Recycling Association in partnership with Calgary police as part of Fraud Prevention Month.

• For more on the story, watch the report from CBC's Terri Trembath by clicking on the image above.

People could watch as their electronics were thoroughly mangled using a variety of techniques.

Police spokesperson Kathy Macdonald says people sometimes don't realize the amount of personal information stored on a hard drive.