UPDATE: Gwent Police rapped by watchdog after emailing 10,000 CRB checks to journalist
Gwent Police has launched an internal investigation after the personal details of more than 10,000 people were accidentally sent to a journalist.
In February this year a senior member of staff sent an email attachment to journalist Chris Williams of The Register website.
The force has said it contained the names, dates of birth and job application details of 10,006 people who had made Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) applications to it.
CRB checks are usually carried out for people working with vulnerable people and children such as teachers and nurses.
Gwent Police Deputy Chief Constable Carmel Napier said: “We are very grateful to Mr Williams and The Register who alerted us to this mistake on Friday April 9, which was caused by human error.
“As a force we have strict policies and procedures in place relating to data security but regrettably these were not followed on this occasion. We are very sorry that we have on this occasion failed to meet our own high standards.”
Gwent Police said it had met with the journalist who has destroyed the information in its presence.
The internal investigation is being supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the force has notified the Independent Police Complaints Commission, the Home Office and the Criminal Records Bureau.
Deputy Chief Constable Napier added the person responsible for the accidental leak had been suspended.
She said: “Gwent Police are satisfied that the public and their personal data are not at risk, however, in view of any concerns members of the public may continue to have, we have set up a dedicated helpline to offer further reassurance.
“This will be staffed each day until Friday April 23 between the hours of 8am and 8pm.
“The helpline number is 01495 745430.”
Cilla Davies, the chairwoman of the Gwent Police Authority, said: “The police authority has been kept fully informed throughout and is satisfied that the Chief Constable’s immediate and decisive action is dealing with this unfortunate situation appropriately.”