Council Investigates After Sensitive Documents Found In Disused Buildings

(c) Google

West Sussex County Council is investigating after potentially sensitive documents were reportedly found inside two disused council buildings by an urban explorer.

The man, who explores abandoned buildings and shares his discoveries online, claimed to have found paperwork including blue badge application forms and foster care documents inside Durban House in Bognor Regis and The Grange in Chichester on Wednesday.

The council says it is looking into how access was gained to both sites and has reported the incident to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

A spokesperson for West Sussex County Council said:

"The council is treating this situation seriously and is taking swift action to address it.

"Steps are being taken to confirm that all material stored is done so securely, with material held at these two locations being relocated while investigations into how access was gained are carried out."

The authority says it will cooperate fully with the Information Commissioner's Office and will consider legal action against anyone involved.

Durban House has been closed since flooding in October 2023, while services previously based at The Grange were moved to a neighbouring building later the same month.

The Information Commissioner's Office confirmed it has been notified of the incident and is assessing the information provided by the council.

Under UK data protection laws, organisations are required to store personal information securely and retain it only for as long as necessary.

Meanwhile, Sussex Police say a 22-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or unlawful violence. He has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.