Police officers' names and pictures leaked in 'extremely serious' data attack
Thousands of officers’ names are at risk of being placed in the public domain
PA
Police officers’ names and pictures have been leaked after a company which Greater Manchester Police uses to produce ID cards, was hacked.
The firm that was victim to the cyber-attack, holds personal information on staff at various organisations, including Greater Manchester Police.
The hack means that thousands of officers’ names are at risk of being placed in the public domain.
Personal at Great Manchester Police were informed about the hack yesterday.
It is not believed that any financial information was leaked
PA
Thousands of ID badges, which show the names and photos of police officers, are thought to have been compromised.
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said he understood how worrying the incident was.
“At this stage, it's not believed this data includes financial information,” he said.
“We have contacted the Information Commissioner's Office and are doing everything we can to ensure employees are kept informed, their questions are answered, and they feel supported.
“This is being treated extremely seriously, with a nationally-led criminal investigation into the attack.”
Staff at Greater Manchester Police received an email which said there had been a “potential data breach at a supplier used by GMP to produce identification badges”.
The data attack has affected other public sector organisations across the UK, according to the email.
The email confirmed that a small number of pictures contained “geo-location data” and that people affected by this would be contacted.
It also verified the National Crime Agency was investigating the hack.
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Greater Manchester Police reached 8,000 officers in March of this year
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Mike Peake, Chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: “Our colleagues are undertaking some of the most difficult and dangerous roles imaginable to catch criminals and keep the public safe.
“To have any personal details potentially leaked out into the public domain in this manner - for all to possibly see – will understandably cause many officers concern and anxiety.
“We are working with the force to mitigate the dangers and risks that this breach could have on our colleagues.”
The news comes months after Greater Manchester Police announced that it had reached 8,000 officers in March.
93 additional officers were also sworn in earlier this month.