Information Commissioner Notified After Data Breach Concerns At Former Council Buildings

The Information Commissioner’s Office has been notified after alleged security breaches at two former West Sussex County Council buildings, where trespassers claimed to have discovered documents containing sensitive personal information.

The council has launched an investigation following incidents at Durban House in Bognor Regis and an attempted entry at The Grange in Chichester.

Images shared on a Facebook page appeared to show documents which allegedly included Blue Badge records, completed application forms, names, addresses, photographs, foster care information, court paperwork and other confidential council material.

During a meeting of the full council on Friday 17 July, cabinet member for support services Nicholas Russell was questioned about the situation by Councillor Elizabeth Meadows, who called for reassurance that "robust safeguards" were in place.

Mr Russell said additional security measures had been introduced and that teams were at both locations checking the sites and removing any remaining material.

He told councillors:

"It is clearly an ongoing incident so we don’t have final answers on anything yet."

A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said:

"A thorough review of security at all buildings in our estate is being completed as a matter of urgency and action will be taken where needed to safeguard against further unauthorised entry."

The council said both buildings had previously been secured and regularly monitored.

The Facebook post claimed Durban House, which was taken out of use following flooding in 2022, had "unlocked gates and unlocked doors", allowing easy access to the site.

The authority said it would cooperate fully with any enquiries from the Information Commissioner’s Office, the independent regulator responsible for upholding information rights in the UK.

The incidents have been reported to Sussex Police, and the council confirmed it would consider legal action against anyone involved.

Residents with specific concerns about the situation can contact West Sussex County Council’s Customer Service Centre on 01243 777100, between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday, or email WSCCCustomerService@westsussex.gov.uk.