Northern Ireland

Concerns raised after alleged PSNI data breach

Concerns have been raised after an alleged PSNI data breach
Concerns have been raised after an alleged PSNI data breach Concerns have been raised after an alleged PSNI data breach

CONCERNS have been raised after PSNI documents containing the names and addresses of loyal order members were found in Co Antrim.

It has been reported the documents were found by a member of the public in the village of Bushmills.

Billy Moore, Apprentice Boys of Derry general secretary, said he had been given 16 pages of what appears to have been a 27-page PSNI operations order relating to local Apprentice Boys last month.

The News Letter reported that the information relates to up to 20 parades linked to the Relief of Derry event in the city on August 13.

Mr Moore said the information was provided to the Parades Commission when Apprentice Boys officials filled out Parades Commission notification forms.

"Some of the people involved might work in jobs that take them into difficult areas, so it was lucky enough that these were found by someone that was sympathetic to us," he said.

"These could have come into the hands of more sinister people."

PSNI Superintendent Darren Rice said: “We are investigating a report of a data breach.

"Enquiries are ongoing to identify any potential risk and an initial notification is being prepared so to notify the office of the Information Commissioner."

A statement from the Information Commissioner’s Office said: “PSNI have made us aware of a data breach incident. We are assessing the information provided and are making all necessary enquiries.”