Suffolk Police data breach
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What personal data was compromised in the Suffolk Police breach?
The Suffolk Police data breach revealed a range of personal information of sexual assault victims in the region.
Including:
- Names
- Dates of birth
- Addresses
The breach also exposed details of the alleged sexual offences, which may prove particularly traumatic for those affected. Understandably, failure to adequately protect this kind of data is a serious matter. As the ICO itself stresses, data related to victims or witnesses of crimes requires “particular care”.
Suffolk Police stated the data related to sexual offences and school offences reported between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2019. They added that only 2–3% of the published investigations included information that could identify individuals. However, the lack of total case numbers and the long timeframe are unlikely to reassure those affected.
What data was leaked in the Suffolk and Norfolk police data breaches?
In a statement on the Suffolk Police website, they said the “data impacted was information held on a specific police system and related to crime reports.”
The data reportedly includes:
- Personally identifiable information on victims, witnesses and suspects
- Descriptions of offences
The exposed information relates to a variety of crimes, including domestic incidents, sexual offences, assaults, thefts and hate crimes.
How do I know if my data has been exposed in the Suffolk Police data breach?
If a data breach poses a high risk to the rights and freedoms of those affected, they must be notified without undue delay. This is a requirement under the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018.
Following the first breach in November 2022, Suffolk Police said they are “endeavouring to contact those affected at the earliest opportunity to give support, reassurance and offer an apology.”
As a result, it is likely that those affected by the Suffolk Police data breach have been contacted directly. However, the full scale of the breach is not yet known, so it is unclear how long this process may take. If you are concerned you may have been affected and have not yet been notified, you should contact the force directly for more information.
Regarding the second data breach, Suffolk Police have stated they have begun contacting individuals affected. This will be done by letter, phone, and in some cases face-to-face, depending on the information impacted and the support required.
Can I claim compensation if my data has been exposed?
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), you have the right to claim compensation if a data breach has caused material damage or distress as a result.
If you were affected by the Suffolk Police breach in November 2022 or the Suffolk and Norfolk Police breach in August 2023, you may be entitled to compensation. If you have been notified that your data was exposed, contact our expert data breach solicitors. We can advise you on the next steps and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
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How we can help those who have been affected by the Suffolk Police data breach
Our team of specialist data breach solicitors have many years of experience managing data breach cases and fighting to get people the compensation they deserve. They have an in-depth understanding of the relevant laws and regulations to ensure you the best possible chance of gaining the compensation you deserve.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations to help you determine if you can pursue a claim. We also take on claims on a no-win, no-fee basis. This means you don’t have to pay a penny upfront to start your claim.
If you are thinking of pursuing a claim against the Suffolk Police data breach, get in touch with our team today.
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Our Group Actions team
The Express Group Actions team has years of experience supporting clients with data breach, data protection and cybercrime claims against large organisations. We have been part of the biggest group action settlement in England and Wales in respect of a data breach. We understand the harm and distress that can result when your personal information is not handled properly or has been compromised. We are committed to helping you secure the compensation you deserve.
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