Fears Met cops names and photos stolen by hackers in massive security breach

26 August 2023 , 22:32

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The National Crime Agency has been called in amid fears terrorists or organised gangs could use the stolen data (Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)

The Metropolitan Police fear the names and photographs of officers have been stolen by hackers in a massive security breach.

The force's 47,000 personnel have been warned of the data leak when hackers managed to penetrate the IT systems of a contractor printing warrant cards and staff passes. Vetting levels and ID numbers are also feared to be among the information taken. The National Crime Agency has been called in amid fears terrorists or organised gangs could use the stolen data.

A Met Police spokesman said: “We have been made aware of unauthorised access to the IT system of a Met supplier. We are working with the company to understand if there has been any security breach relating to Metropolitan Police data.

"The company had access to names, ranks, photos, vetting levels and pay numbers for officers and staff. The company did not hold personal information such as addresses, phone numbers or financial details. Security measures have been taken by the MPS as a result of this report. The MPS has reported the matter to the National Crime Agency. The Information Commissioner's Office is also aware.”

Former Met commander John O'Connor has since slammed the breach as "utterly outrageous" and that the Met's IT security was "slapdash". "Anyone using these details to produce a warrant card or pass could gain access to a police station or secure area," he told the Sun on Sunday.

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"There is also a huge concern that photographs of police working on undercover units, surveillance or in sensitive areas like counter-terrorism could fall into the wrong hands. This data breach has put safety of police at risk and questions need to be asked about why IT security of this company was so slapdash."

A spokesman for the National Crime Agency said: “We are aware of the cyber incident and we are working with law enforcement partners to understand the impact.”

Hannah Kane