Norfolk And Suffolk Police Data Breaches Compensation Claims Guide

Earlier this week, it was announced that 1,230 people, including victims of crime and witnesses, had had their personal data impacted in the Norfolk and Suffolk police data breaches after responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests included raw data.

In this guide, we provide further information about how the breach occurred, what information was involved, and the action that has been taken to deal with the incident. 

norfolk and suffolk police data breaches

Norfolk And Suffolk Police Data Breaches – Could You Claim Compensation?

Later in our guide, we explore the legislation that outlines the responsibilities of data controllers, those who decide why and how your personal data will be processed, and data processors, those acting on behalf of the controller. We also look at the eligibility criteria for data breach claims.

Additionally, you can find information on data breach compensation settlements, including how they are calculated, and what they could include should a claim succeed.

Finally, we look at the benefits of working with a No Win No Fee solicitor and the services they could offer to help you seek compensation.

For more information, please contact an advisor. They can offer free advice and answer any questions you might have. To get in touch, you can:

Select A Section

  1. What Are The Norfolk And Suffolk Police Data Breaches?
  2. Could I Claim For A Personal Data Breach?
  3. What Could You Do If You Were Affected By The Norfolk And Suffolk Police Data Breaches?
  4. What Could You Claim For A Data Breach?
  5. How A Specialist Solicitor Could Help You Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis
  6. Learn More About Data Breach Claims

What Are The Norfolk And Suffolk Police Data Breaches?

On the 15th August 2023, it was announced in a statement by the Norfolk and Suffolk constabularies that around 1,230 data subjects, whose personal information was processed by the forces, have had their data impacted when responses to FOI requests for crime statistics between April 2021 and March 2022 were sent out and included raw data.

The Norfolk and Suffolk constabularies released a statement in which they said a full and thorough analysis of the incidents had been completed. Additionally, they have started the process of contacting those individuals who have been affected. This will be done via letter, phone or face-to-face.

The constabularies have also notified the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which is now investigating the matter. A statement from the ICO, an independent body set to uphold information rights and freedoms in the UK, says the incident highlights how important it is to have robust measures in place to ensure personal information, especially data that is so sensitive, is protected.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66510136

Information Compromised By The Norfolk And Suffolk Police Data Breaches bb

The Norfolk and Suffolk police data breaches affected the personally identifiable information of victims, witnesses and suspects. This related to a number of offences, including:

  • Sexual offences
  • Domestic incidents
  • Assaults
  • Hate crime and
  • Thefts

As per the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, data controllers and data processors have a responsibility to protect your personal data. Personal data is any information that can be used to identify you either directly or indirectly, this can include your name, postal address and date of birth.

Additionally, special category data is given extra protection under the UK GDPR due to it being sensitive in nature. This can include personal data concerning your health, as well as your sexual orientation. It can also include personal data that reveals your ethnic or racial origin.

Furthermore, criminal offence data is also given extra protection under the UK GDPR. This is personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences or other related security measures. Whilst it does not cover information about victims and witnesses of crime, this information is still likely to be sensitive and particular care should be taken when processing it.

If you have evidence that your data has been affected by the Norfolk and Suffolk police data breaches and this has caused you harm, please contact an advisor. They are on hand to discuss the potential next steps you could take.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/norfolk-and-suffolk-police-data-breach-releases-information-of-more-than-a-thousand-people-including-victims-of-crime-and-witnesses-12940294

Could I Claim For A Data Breach?

In order to have valid grounds to pursue a personal data breach claim, you need to prove the following:

  • There was a failure to adhere to the UK GDPR and DPA 2018 on the part of the data controller or data processor.
  • This led to a data breach that involved your personal data.
  • As a result, you experienced psychological harm, monetary losses, or both.

You also must ensure you start your claim within the relevant time frame. This is typically six years but can be reduced to one year when the claim is against a public body.

Call today to find out whether you’re eligible to pursue data breach compensation.

What Could You Do If You Were Affected By The Norfolk And Suffolk Police Data Breaches?

If you have been affected by the Norfolk and Suffolk police data breaches, there are some steps you could take:

  • You should have been notified about the breach without undue delay. This is often done via a letter of notification. However, if you have not been contacted and suspect that your personal data has been affected, you should raise your concerns with the organisation.
  • If you had not received a response after contacting the organisation, you could raise your concerns with the ICO. However, you need to do so within 3 months of the last meaningful contact you had with the organisation. 

Additionally, following a personal data breach, you could gather evidence that shows you were impacted mentally, financially, or both. For example, you could access a copy of your medical records to show any mental harm, such as anxiety, stress or distress. You could also keep bank statements and other financial documents to show any monetary losses you have experienced.

For further guidance on the steps you could potentially take if you have been affected by a personal data breach, please contact an advisor on the number above.

What Could You Claim For A Data Breach?

Following a successful data breach claim, you could be awarded compensation for the following:

  • Material damage – This refers to the financial loss you have experienced because of a personal data breach. For example, you may have had to take time off work to recover from the emotional impact of the breach leading you to suffer a loss of earnings, or you may have had to relocate due to the breach putting your physical safety at risk. Compensation can be awarded to address this type of damage.
  • Non-material damage – This refers to the emotional harm you have experienced because of a personal data breach. For example, you could experience depression, stress, anxiety, or have symptoms of prior medical conditions made worse, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Compensation can also be awarded to address this type of damage.

When valuing the non-material damage aspect of your claim, solicitors can refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to help them. This publication contains a list of guideline award brackets for different types of mental harm. You can find some of these in the table below, however, please keep in mind the figures are only a guide.

Compensation Table

Edit
Harm Type Severity Notes Compensation Brackets – Guidelines
Psychological Damage Severe Marked problems affect several areas of the person’s life. The prognosis is very poor. £54,830 to £115,730
Moderately Severe Significant problems still impact several areas of the person’s life but the prognosis is better. £19,070 to £54,830
Moderate There is a significant improvement and the prognosis is good. £5,860 to £19,070
Less Severe The length of time and extent to which the person is affected is considered when determining the award. £1,540 to £5,860
PTSD Severe The person is unable to function at the same level as prior to the trauma. All aspects of their life are badly and permanently impacted. £59,860 to £100,670
Moderately Severe A better prognosis due to some recovery after receiving professional help. However, for the foreseeable future the effects are likely to cause a significant disability. £23,150 to £59,860
Moderate A significant recovery with any ongoing effects not causing a major disability. £8,180 to £23,150
Less Severe The person has mostly recovered within a couple of years and only minor symptoms will continue over a longer period. £3,950 to £8,180

For more information on the data breach compensation you could be awarded following a successful claim, please contact an advisor on the number above.

How A Specialist Solicitor Could Help You Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis

If you have valid grounds to proceed with your data breach claim and wish to seek legal representation, you could benefit from working with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors. They offer services such as, help gathering evidence, valuing your claim, and presenting your case in full within the relevant time frame, under the terms of a Conditional Fee Agreement.

Typically, this contract allows you access to a solicitor’s service without the need to pay them when your claim starts, as it proceeds, or if it fails. Following a successful claim, your solicitor will take a legally restricted percentage from your compensation. Meaning you keep the majority of the payout awarded to you.

If you get in touch with an advisor, they can assess your case to determine whether you’re eligible to claim data breach compensation and connect you with one of our solicitors if you have valid grounds to proceed.

Talk To Us If The Data Breaches Have Impacted You

If you have any further questions about the potential steps you could take if you were affected by the Norfolk and Suffolk police data breaches, please contact our team. To do so, you can:

Learn More About Data Breach Claims

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Thank you for reading our guide on the steps you could take if you were affected by the Norfolk and Suffolk police data breaches. Call our team if you have any other questions.