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Suffolk Police Data Breach

Suffolk Police Data Breach

On 15th November, it was reported that Suffolk Police had suffered a major data breach. The breach involved the personal details of sexual assault victims being published on the force’s website and left accessible to the public for three years. Given the extremely sensitive nature of the information and the length of time involved, this breach could have a serious impact on those affected.

If your information has been exposed in the Suffolk Police data breach, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Our expert team has extensive experience in helping those whose data has been mishandled to get the compensation they deserve.

Step 1

Get in touch using the contact form or the details provided throughout the site.

Step 2

We arrange a free consultation with you to discuss your case.

Step 3

If accepted, we will action your case on a no-win, no-fee basis.

The Suffolk Police data breach was first reported by the East Anglian Daily Times, which stated that the data was accessible to the general public for a short period of time on the force’s website. However, it was subsequently revealed that the document containing the information was first published in 2019 and only discovered by a member of the public on 7th November 2022.

Suffolk Police have claimed that “the matter was quickly resolved” once it was brought to their attention, but an investigation has been opened into the incident and remains ongoing. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has also been notified.

Suffolk Rape Crisis, a support organisation for victims of sexual assault in the region, said in a statement that the breach poses “a considerable safety risk” and “could put women at threat of further violence.”

What data was exposed by the Suffolk Police data breach?

The Suffolk Police data breach revealed a range of personal information of sexual assault victims in the region, including names, dates of birth and addresses. Most troubling was the fact that 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”.

 

In a statement, Suffolk Police clarified that the data related to sexual offences and offences in schools that had been reported between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2019. They also state that only 2-3% of the published investigations contained information that could lead to an individual being identified. However, given the timeframe involved and the fact that Suffolk Police have not revealed the total number of cases, this will likely not serve to reassure those who may have been affected.

How do I know if my data has been exposed?

It is a requirement of the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 that if a data breach poses a high risk to the rights and freedoms of those affected, they must be notified without undue delay. Suffolk Police say that 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 will be contacted directly by the force. However, it is not clear how long this may take, given that the scale of the breach is not fully known at present. If you are concerned you may have been affected and have yet to be notified, you should contact the force directly for more information.

Can I claim compensation if my data has been exposed?

The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) gives you the right to pursue compensation if a data breach has led to material or non-material damages. This includes if you have suffered distress as a result of the breach. If this applies to you, then you may be able to pursue a compensation claim.

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Case Study

Data breach concept image, a laptop on a table with a warning symbol on screen and white text saying data breach

HNK Solicitors secure £7,000 in data breach claim against Cheshire Council East

Recently, HNK Solicitors acted on behalf of a client, who will be referred to as SH, in a data breach claim against Cheshire East Council. The data breach occurred after SH was subject to an anonymous complaint regarding their children. Although the complaint was not upheld, during the initial investigation Cheshire East Council, the Defendant, divulged personal data, and the context of the complaint with an unauthorised person(s). This is a clear breach of SH’s...
Read More

How we can help

HNK Solicitors has a specialist team of solicitors dedicated to seeking compensation for victims of data breaches. Thanks to our in-depth understanding of the relevant legal statutes and regulations, we can provide you with the best possible chance of getting the compensation you deserve.

 

We offer free, no-obligation consultations to help you decide whether pursuing a compensation claim is the right step for you. We pursue claims on a no-win, no-fee basis, so if your claim isn’t successful, you won’t owe us a penny.

 

If you’d like to discuss a potential claim, get in touch with us today to discuss your case. You can fill in the contact form on our website or call us on 0151 668 0809.

Free Consultation

Contact HNK to arrange a free no-obligation consultation where we can offer free advice on whether you can pursue a claim against Dixons Carphone.

No-win, no-fee

If we believe you have a case, we can pursue your claim for you on a no-win, no-fee agreement. This means it will not cost you a penny to start your claim, and you won’t have to pay if it is not successful.

Client Communication

If we accept your case against Dixons Carphone, our dedicated team of Data Protection Solicitors will handle everything for you and keep you up to date throughout the whole process.

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Call us on - 0151 203 1104 | Email us at - enquiries@hnksolicitors.com
Dan MalcomDan Malcom
17:27 09 Mar 23
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M EdgertonM Edgerton
13:29 30 Jan 23
I contacted Higgs Newton Kenyon over a distressing experience with the police and feeling very vulnerable. Lynne Hughes helped me with my case and was really understanding and empathetic. It meant a lot to have someone speak for me and the outcome of the case was better than I expected. Thanks to their service I have been able to put this experience behind me and move on.Would recommend.
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08:53 23 Sep 22
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16:29 11 Jan 22
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Ansar HussainAnsar Hussain
15:16 24 Nov 21
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23:17 17 Nov 21
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01:38 12 Nov 21
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11:31 10 Nov 21
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07:26 30 Sep 21
Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors have been brilliant even through the pandemic, it must be hard to do, they are very informative all the time great value and kind thank you
Frances SJ FinchFrances SJ Finch
10:04 28 Sep 21
I can’t quite put into words how brilliant these solicitors are, they provide a fantastic service and are very gentle when discussing sensitive subjects. Michael has been so incredibly helpful and I would like to send him a massive thanks for everything he has done for me. The receptionist has always also been very polite, friendly and welcoming and I would also like to thank her for supplying a kind atmosphere whenever I have needed to contact the team.
Danny OwenDanny Owen
14:12 09 Aug 21
Highly recommended, I had a claim against the police for an unlawful stop and search and false imprisonment which was has been settled with compensation. I had to put very little effort in and I was kept continually up to date. Vivien Lee dealing with my case could not have been more polite professional and helpful. I won’t be using anyone other than HNK solicitors from now on.
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20:34 04 Aug 21
These guys practically won me some cash from BA data breach case. They initiated it and executed it with utmost professionalism without me breaking a sweat. I fully recommend them without any reservations.
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19:02 02 Aug 21
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10:06 14 Jul 21
Very attentive and thorough service.They communicate regularly and clearly via phone and email. Would absolutely recommend them.Many thanks
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10:51 05 Jul 21
I am very happy with the service I got they were ever so good at dealing with my matter and very polite. They were also very helpful with giving me great advice I would definitely use their services again in the near future I am very happy with the outcome of my case
Stephen StrattonStephen Stratton
10:09 28 Jun 21
Following repeated violations and data protections concerns by the police I was able to secure a settlement which I am very happy with. Demi and her team were helpful, professional and informative throughout. I would highly recommend contacting HNK Solicitors for initial advice with any legal matters.
Sandra WilliamsSandra Williams
11:26 23 Jun 21
After a very Violated experience with the police, my solicitor Demi was there step by step, keeping me up to date with everything. If I ever needed Higgs Newton Kenyon I again I wouldn't hesitate to contact them. Thank you.
Jason PatrickJason Patrick
19:46 10 May 21
I would highly recommend this firm. They have acted on my behalf twice now and have successfully won compensation for both cases. They are a very professional team of solicitors with expansive knowledge of the law. If you want a good result with sound honest advice, then this firm is in my opinion one the best and not afraid to challenge injustice.Thank you,Yours sincerelyJason Patrick
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12:47 20 Apr 21
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14:05 08 Mar 21
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14:11 07 Sep 20
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09:45 25 Aug 20
Our go to when one of your artist was wrongfully arrested by the police. They helped us to resolve the issue in a timely fashion.
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