More than 1,000 people have seen their data breached as part of an information leak at Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies.
Both forces have identified an issue relating to a small percentage of responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests between April 2021 and March 2022.
A technical issue led to raw data belonging to the police being included within the files produced in response to the FOI.
The data was hidden from anyone opening the files, but should not have been included.
Data including personal identifiable information on victims, witnesses and suspects, as well as descriptions of offences, were in the files, with offences ranging from sexual offences, assaults and hate crime.
Following a thorough analysis into the data, both Suffolk and Norfolk Constabularies have started the process of contacting the 1,230 people whose data has been breached.
READ MORE: Two taken to hospital after air ambulance called to serious crash
The individuals will be contacted via letter, phone and in some cases, face to face.
A spokesman for Suffolk police said: "Strenuous efforts have been made to determine if the data released has been accessed by anyone outside of policing. At this stage we have found nothing to suggest that this is the case.
"If members of the public are not contacted by the constabularies, they do not need to take any action."
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has been notified and is being kept updated.
Assistant Chief Constable of Suffolk Police, Eamonn Bridger, who led the investigation on behalf of both forces, said: “We would like to apologise that this incident occurred, and we sincerely regret any concern that it may have caused the people of Norfolk and Suffolk.
“I would like to reassure the public that procedures for handling FOI requests made to Norfolk and Suffolk constabularies are subject to continuous review to ensure that all data under the constabularies’ control is properly protected.”
Tim Passmore, the police and crime commissioner for Suffolk said: “There has been a data breach involving some Suffolk Constabulary data - this should not have happened and I apologise that it has.
“I have requested regular updates from the Chief Constable so I can be assured everything reasonably possible is being done to put matters right.
“I will also be looking at a full review of the Constabulary’s information sharing processes to guard against something like this ever happening again.”
Stephen Bonner, deputy commissioner at the ICO, said: “The potential impact of a breach like this reminds us that data protection is about people. It’s too soon to say what our investigation will find, but this breach – and all breaches – highlights just how important it is to have robust measures in place to protect personal information, especially when that data is so sensitive.
“We are currently investigating this breach and a separate breach reported to us in November 2022.
“In the meantime, we’ll continue to support organisations to get data protection right so that people can feel confident that their information is secure.
“If you’re concerned about the way your information has been handled, you can get advice on what to do from our website.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here