94 child data 'security breaches'

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Information Commissioner Richard Thomas said he has been notified of 94 data breaches - two-thirds of which were committed by Government or other public sector bodies.

The material included a wide range of personal details, including health records.

Fourteen losses have been reported by financial institutions since November's major gaffe by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which mislaid computer discs carrying details of 25 million child benefit claimants. Mr Thomas described the number of incidents as "alarming".

Of the total reported to the commissioner, 62 security breaches were in the public sector, 28 were in the private sector and four in the charity or third sector.

Of those reported by public sector bodies, almost a third happened in central Government and associated agencies, and a fifth in the NHS.

Mr Thomas said: "It is particularly disappointing that the HMRC breaches have not prevented other unacceptable security breaches from occurring.

"The Government, banks and other organisations need to regain the public's trust by being far more careful with people's personal information.

"Once again I urge business and public sector leaders to make data protection a priority in their organisation."

The HMRC scandal involved staff losing two computer discs in their internal mail which held the personal details of all families in the United Kingdom claiming child benefit. Information included dates of birth, National Insurance number, and bank details.