Force suffers 1,171 data breaches in last 3 years

Figures revealed following an FOI request

- Joseph Richards

NEW data has revealed that Staffordshire Police has experienced more than 1,000 data breaches since 2022.

Figures obtained by Data Breach Claims UK through Freedom of Information requests found that, in the past three years, 1,171 data breach incidents have taken place.

Police officers and staff have access to vast amounts of personal data as part of their investigations, which can include information such as a person’s name, phone number, email or address.

Data breach incidents can occur where this personal data is destroyed, altered or lost either accidentally or unlawfully, which can lead to a victim experiencing financial loss or psychological harm.

In response Staffordshire Police said they take the protection of all data extremely seriously and have introduced regular mandatory refresher data protection training for all staff.

In 2022/23, Staffordshire Police saw 227 data breaches take place before this number rose to 539 a year later.