Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has fallen victim to a cyber attack, resulting in the unauthorised access and compromise of personal information belonging to its officers. The incident has raised significant concerns about data security and privacy.

Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane, who leads Greater Manchester Police, confirmed the breach, stating, “We are aware of a ransomware attack affecting a third-party supplier of various UK organizations, including GMP, which holds some information on those employed by GMP.”

McFarlane emphasized that, as of the current stage of the investigation, there is no indication that the compromised data includes financial information. However, the breach of personal information remains a serious matter.

In response to the incident, GMP has taken immediate steps to address the situation and mitigate its impact on employees. They have contacted the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and are actively collaborating with authorities to investigate the extent of the breach.

The police force is also focusing on ensuring that its employees are well-informed, their questions are addressed promptly, and they receive the necessary support during this unsettling period.