HC Deb 21 October 1991 vol 196 cc339-40W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of computer misuse in the police force.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The responsibility for security of police computer systems is a matter for chief officers. The code of practice for police computer systems prepared by the Association of Chief Police Officers, provides detailed advice on the security measures to be taken against unauthorised access to, or alteration or disclosure of, personal data. A copy of the code is in the Library.

Comprehensive information of computer misuse is not available centrally, but I understand that so far this year 23 alleged offences under the Data Protection Act 1984 have been considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions. It was decided to institute criminal proceedings in three of these cases.