The **Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)**—the UK’s largest police force—has been at the center of a rising wave of data breaches, recording **2,271 incidents** since 2022, the highest among UK law enforcement agencies. These breaches stem from a mix of **human error** (e.g., misdirected emails, unauthorized data access, failure to redact sensitive details, or accidental publication of records) and **cyber threats**, including potential ransomware and malicious insider activity. The exposed data often includes highly sensitive personal information—such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and criminal records—of victims, suspects, and even police personnel. A notable case involved the **incorrect merging of victim and suspect records**, leading to processing inaccuracies, compromised investigations, and potential leaks of sensitive data. Such breaches erode public trust, risk financial or psychological harm to affected individuals, and have already resulted in **291 compensation claims** totaling **£501,370** in payouts since 2022. The MPS’s repeated failures highlight systemic vulnerabilities in data handling, despite obligations under the **Data Protection Act 2018**. The escalating frequency of incidents (from 2,711 in 2022/23 to 4,759 in the latest year) underscores the urgent need for stricter protocols, staff training, and encryption measures to mitigate further exposure of critical law enforcement data.
Source: https://securityjournaluk.com/data-breach-claims-uk-police-cyber-threats/
TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/metpoliceuk
"id": "met1092910091025",
"linkid": "metpoliceuk",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "6/2018",
"severity": "60",
"impact": "3",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with internal employee data leaks"{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': '2,271 incidents',
'industry': 'Public Sector',
'location': 'United Kingdom',
'name': 'Metropolitan Police Service',
'type': 'Law Enforcement Agency'},
{'customers_affected': '1,398 incidents',
'industry': 'Public Sector',
'location': 'Scotland, UK',
'name': 'Police Scotland',
'type': 'Law Enforcement Agency'},
{'industry': 'Public Sector',
'location': 'West Midlands, UK',
'name': 'West Midlands Police',
'type': 'Law Enforcement Agency'},
{'customers_affected': '13,000+ incidents (2022–2024)',
'industry': 'Public Sector',
'location': 'United Kingdom',
'name': 'UK Police Forces (Collective)',
'type': 'Law Enforcement Agencies'}],
'attack_vector': ['Phishing',
'Misdirected Emails',
'Unauthorized Access',
'Lost/Stolen Devices',
'Accidental Publication',
'Malicious Insiders',
'Ransomware'],
'data_breach': {'data_encryption': 'Lack of encryption cited as a '
'vulnerability',
'data_exfiltration': 'Likely (in some cases)',
'file_types_exposed': ['Emails',
'Documents',
'Database Records'],
'personally_identifiable_information': ['Names',
'Phone Numbers',
'Emails',
'Addresses'],
'sensitivity_of_data': 'High (law enforcement records, PII)',
'type_of_data_compromised': ['Personally Identifiable '
'Information (PII)',
'Investigation Records',
'Crime Victim/Suspect Data']},
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2024',
'description': 'A significant increase in data breaches within UK police '
'forces, driven by both human error and cyber threats, has '
'exposed sensitive personal information. Over 13,000 incidents '
'were reported in the past three years, involving unauthorized '
'access, misdirected communications, device theft, and '
'accidental data publication. The breaches have led to '
'financial losses, psychological harm, and compensation claims '
'totaling £501,370. High-profile cases include the '
'Metropolitan Police Service (2,271 breaches) and Police '
'Scotland (1,398 breaches), with regulatory reprimands issued '
'by the ICO for violations of the Data Protection Act 2018.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': 'High (eroded public trust in law '
'enforcement data security)',
'customer_complaints': '291 claims lodged',
'data_compromised': ['Names',
'Phone Numbers',
'Emails',
'Addresses',
'Sensitive Investigation Records'],
'financial_loss': '£501,370 (compensation payouts)',
'identity_theft_risk': 'High',
'legal_liabilities': ['ICO Reprimands',
'Data Protection Act 2018 Violations'],
'operational_impact': ['Disrupted Investigations',
'Inaccurate Personal Data Processing',
'Loss of Public Trust']},
'initial_access_broker': {'entry_point': ['Misdirected Emails',
'Lost/Stolen Devices',
'Unauthorized Access',
'Phishing'],
'high_value_targets': ['Crime Victim/Suspect '
'Records',
'Sensitive Investigation '
'Data']},
'investigation_status': 'Ongoing (multiple incidents; some resolved with ICO '
'actions)',
'lessons_learned': 'Human error and insufficient data protection measures '
'(e.g., training, encryption) are major contributors to '
'breaches. Police forces must enforce stricter access '
'controls, redact sensitive data, and improve incident '
'response to prevent financial and reputational damage.',
'motivation': ['Financial Gain', 'Data Theft', 'Disruption', 'Accidental'],
'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': ['Enhanced staff training '
'programs',
'Implementation of device '
'encryption',
'Stricter data access and '
'redaction policies',
'ICO oversight and '
'reprimands for '
'non-compliance'],
'root_causes': ['Human error (e.g., misdirected '
'emails, unauthorized access)',
'Inadequate training on data '
'handling',
'Lack of encryption for sensitive '
'data',
'Weak access controls',
'Cyberattacks (e.g., ransomware, '
'phishing)']},
'recommendations': ['Mandate comprehensive data handling training for all '
'staff',
'Implement encryption for all devices storing sensitive '
'data',
'Enforce strict access controls and audit logs for data '
'access',
'Establish clear protocols for data sharing and retention',
'Conduct regular security audits and risk assessments',
'Enhance public transparency in breach disclosures'],
'references': [{'date_accessed': '2024', 'source': 'Data Breach Claims UK'},
{'date_accessed': '2020', 'source': 'VPNoverview Study (2020)'},
{'date_accessed': '2024',
'source': 'Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Reprimand '
'(2024)'},
{'source': 'JF Law (Bethan Simons, Solicitor)'}],
'regulatory_compliance': {'legal_actions': ['ICO Reprimand (West Midlands '
'Police, 2024)',
'291 Compensation Claims'],
'regulations_violated': ['Data Protection Act 2018'],
'regulatory_notifications': ['Information '
'Commissioner’s Office '
'(ICO)']},
'response': {'remediation_measures': ['Staff Training on Data Handling',
'Device Encryption',
'Strict Data Sharing/Retention '
'Policies']},
'threat_actor': ['Cybercriminals', 'Malicious Insiders', 'Human Error'],
'title': 'Surge in UK Police Data Breaches (2022–2024)',
'type': ['Data Breach',
'Human Error',
'Cyberattack',
'Ransomware',
'Insider Threat'],
'vulnerability_exploited': ['Poor Data Handling Protocols',
'Lack of Encryption',
'Insufficient Staff Training',
'Weak Access Controls']}